Shopping in Portimão
A second retail park was officially inaugurated on March 26, 2009 in Portimão, with members of the public being able to sample some special offers as stores opened their doors to shoppers for the first time.
Worten, the electrical retailer, opened its largest store in Portugal at the new Portimão Retail Center, demonstrating that the company sees Portimão as a prime retail destination in Portugal.
This retail park has 10 new shops, including clothing store C&A, home decor shop Casa and supermarket Mini-Preço.
Six million euros were invested in the retail park, which was due to employ 220 people in various roles directly, and 760 people indirectly over the almost 12,000 square metre area.
While it may appear that Portimão is becoming saturated with retail parks, plans to open the Aqua Portimão commercial centre in 2011 are well underway.
Algarve woman runs to save husband’s life
British resident Touchelle Smyth ran the Lisbon half marathon on March 22 to raise funds to pay for a life-saving kidney transplant for her husband Rod.
Touchelle, 39, and Rod, 48, have lived in the Algarve for more than 20 years.
Rod was diagnosed with kidney failure 10 years ago and has been on a transplant waiting list ever since. Rod’s condition means that he has to go to the UK for several months for surgery. As part of the fundraising, Touchelle set up a website with information about Rod, how to donate funds and the pledges received to date. Touchelle has organised many events across the Algarve in 2009 and succeeded in raising more than 30,000 euros for her husband’s operation. For more information see www.run4rod.com.
Silves mayor reveals ambitious projects
Silves mayor announced that the council will be channelling resources into industry and away from tourism, making the area a distribution hub for national and international products in the region.
During a tour of the council in March, Câmara President Isabel Soares said: “A distribution centre is planned north of Tunes, where there is excellent access to a number of important roads including the A22, EN125 and IC1 as well as a railway line and an electricity substation.” Isabel Soares also said that the Câmara is a great supporter of alternative energy sources and had been in discussions with possible investors from South America to harness the power of solar and wind energy in Silves.
Within the tourism sector, Silves is still keen to encourage investment to attract visitors with golf as well as health retreats and spas.
