Hundreds of bars and restaurants in Albufeira are closed because of the economic crisis coupled with the seasonal downturn in business, and face an “uncertain period”, according to the association of business owners in the council (Associação de Comerciantes e Serviços de Albufeira – Acosal).
Luis Alexandre, President of Acosal, said: “We are in a low period and facing an uncertain future with some enterprises shut indefinitely.”
A supermarket owner, interviewed by Correio da Manhã newspaper, blamed local politics for the “agony being suffered” and said that even before the crisis the sector was in a downward trend. The majority of clients spending money are foreigners and there are few Portuguese, he added.
In an attempt to remedy the loss of business, Acosal is uniting with other commercial associations and has demanded improved parking facilities and security from the local municipal authority.
The president of the local authority, José Carlos Rôlo, said that parking space in the Avenida da Liberdade for 400 vehicles is underway and will be completed by the end of May this year, and improvements to street lighting and paving in Oura will also be carried out.
