Tashkent business owners decry forced signage removals under new design code

Entrepreneurs in Tashkent are raising serious concerns over the implementation of the city’s new "design code," reporting aggressive enforcement tactics and a lack of clear guidelines. During an open dialogue held at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on April 23, business owners detailed instances where officials threatened to disconnect electricity to force the immediate removal of storefront signage.

One of the most vocal critics, Kemal Kaya, the founder of the Giotto restaurant chain, recounted a frustrating experience where local authorities repeatedly changed their minds about his storefront colors. On the eve of a presidential visit, he was initially told to use a cream-colored facade. After he spent money on materials, officials changed the requirement to blue, and then finally to gray. Kaya warned that such inconsistent demands harm the investment image of Uzbekistan, remarking that the creators of the project are turning the city into a visually restrictive environment.

Financial losses are also mounting for large retail chains. A representative of the Evos restaurant network shared that the company pays UZS 80 million in advertising fees every quarter. Despite having approved "advertising passports" for 65 of their locations, several signs were still forcibly dismantled because they supposedly conflicted with the new design concept. Each removal costs the business an additional UZS 20 million, with no compensation provided for these recurring expenses.

Other entrepreneurs reported high-pressure tactics from unnamed officials. The director of the Dym & Dream restaurant, Maria, stated that an individual claiming to represent the district administration threatened to cut off the establishment's power if a sign exceeding one square meter was not removed within ten minutes. Similar reports of "electricity blackmail" were echoed by representatives of Uzum Market, who noted that threats of disconnection are being used as leverage to force compliance or payment.

The founder of the Eva Yeva cosmetics brand urged an immediate halt to the demolitions, arguing that forcing global and local brands to abandon their established "brand books" in favor of a uniform black-and-white aesthetic is counterproductive.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman, Davron Vakhobov, called for patience, suggesting that the city will be brought into order gradually, street by street. He proposed a one-year waiver of advertising fees for businesses on 36 major streets totaling 436 km. However, regarding the direct financial losses reported by businesses, Vakhobov stated it was still unclear whether these costs could be offset against future tax liabilities.

The Business Ombudsman has also entered the fray, declaring several provisions of the Tashkent City Council’s decision on the design code to be in violation of national law. According to the Ombudsman’s statement, the regulation was adopted without the mandatory legal consultation with his office. Furthermore, the decree uses vague legal terms like "neutral" or "low-saturated" colors without providing objective criteria. The Ombudsman warned that forcing businesses to change their registered trademarks violates intellectual property rights and that the three-month window for adaptation is insufficient.

A formal conclusion has been submitted to the Tashkent City Council, urging a complete review of the portions of the decree that impact entrepreneurial activity.