Rome city council has buckled under public pressure and toned down a ban on the night-time sale of freshly made croissants, ice-cream, pizza and sandwiches.
The ban was part of plans to calm the capital's night life.
While Rome Mayor Gianni Alemanno on Friday went ahead with issuing a new law requiring vendors to shut down at 2 AM, it contains a clause allowing them to ask for an extension providing they do not sell alcohol and commit to respecting ''decorum''.
''The croissant is safe,'' Alemanno said.
Residents concerned they would no longer be able to satisfy late-night munchies after spilling out of discos and bars had mobilised to put pressure on the council, including a planned mass-croissant eat in front of the city hall this weekend.
The new law comes into effect in May and sets opening times for shops selling freshly made products as 6 AM to 2 AM, if they do not ask for an extension, and for those selling prepackaged good as 7 AM to 10 PM.
In January the council resuscitated a summer ban on take-away sales of drinks after 21.00 in the city centre after an American was stabbed during a fight at Campo de' Fiori, popular with tourists and locals for its lively nightlife.
