By PAULO SILVESTRE [email protected]
A new shopping centre in Guia, in the Albufeira council, originally due to be completed in May this year, is now scheduled to open in 2012.
Representing an investment of 100 million Euros, the centre is being built on land near Makro cash and carry, opposite Algarve Shopping.
Imorendimento, the company that manages the investment fund behind the project, acquired the land for the Summerville Shopping Parque.
The shopping facility was going to be called Algarve Gran Plaza but after the opening of the Gran Plaza shopping centre in Tavira the name was changed.
The new shopping centre will cover an area of about 60,000 square metres.
A statement released by Imorendimento said: “In addition to the commercial area, there will also be a health centre, offices and a car park for 2,200 vehicles.
“A lot of thought has been put into this project to aim it not only at residents and families but also tourists and foreign residents. The project sets itself apart from the rest not only for its bold architecture but also because the exterior includes a large green leisure area.”
Primark store
Meanwhile, another shopping centre under construction in Portimão, called Aqua Portimão, will have the first Primark store in the Algarve.
Primark is one of the biggest retail chains in Ireland and England, which has so far opened two stores in Portugal, in Lisbon and Porto.
The new store in Portimão will have an area of 4,200 square metres and will create approximately 250 jobs.
Ségécé Portugal, the managing company of Aqua Portimão shopping centre, said: “The Primark store is an important asset for Aqua Portimão. It will contribute to the creation of jobs and add a more dynamic commercial activity in the centre.”
Aqua Portimão is scheduled to open in spring 2011, with an area covering about 35,500 square metres, 122 stores, a Jumbo hypermarket and more than 20 restaurants spread over the three floors of the shopping centre.
