Lorraine Williamson
Benidorm’s shopkeepers are warning that the city’s streets are being overwhelmed by tourist-focused stores, threatening the character and survival of traditional businesses. The local trade association AICO reports a surge in late-night souvenir stores and small supermarkets, which pay high rents and stay open until midnight, squeezing out long-established retailers.
While classic shops close around 8.00 pm, the new tourist outlets stay open late, luring footfall and profits away from family businesses. AICO says this imbalance is driving down turnover by as much as 50% in some cases over the summer months. Many owners fear for their future if the trend continues.
Push for Bilbao-style controls
To protect Benidorm’s commercial mix, AICO is urging the council to adopt rules similar to those introduced in Bilbao in 2015. There, new shops and hospitality venues must prove they add value to the neighbourhood before opening. The system has kept the Basque city’s shopping streets varied and balanced.
AICO wants a working group of council officials, local traders, and hospitality representatives to decide which new stores should be allowed and which should be restricted. The association warns that Benidorm risks becoming a monoculture of snack stands and cheap souvenirs without firm regulation.
Benidorm named Europe´s most complete destination
Outlook for Benidorm’s retail scene
For now, the council has not responded to AICO’s proposal. But shopkeepers say the stakes are high: without action, the seaside resort could lose the independent businesses that give it character and year-round appeal.
Source: Informacion.es