By ELOISE WALTON
A SIX million euro renovation project along the beachfront in Armação de Pêra, which started on November 17, has already caused some controversy with local business owners.
According to Silves Câmara President Isabel Soares, the work should last for nine months. Had it started in October as originally planned it was due to be complete by the summer season.
But local business owners have said that they are worried that the work will not be finished on time and that the disruptions to traffic and lack of parking facilities will have a negative impact on their businesses.
A local restaurant owner said: “We are going to close our doors and if the work is not finished by June, it will be a year lost. We already had few parking spaces, now the situation is only going to get worse.”
Other businesses are being closed down, including a newspaper shop and hairdressing salon, plus the Mini-Golfe café will be demolished to make room for the renovations.
A spokesman from Silves Câmara told The Resident: “The concession between the construction company and the Câmara was signed on Monday, and so from that day the area is being prepared with signposts and building materials before the work goes ahead.”
Tourist interest
The spokesman added that the Mini Golfe café will be demolished “because it is very old and no longer offers an adequate service” and will be replaced with a new facility.
A spokesman from the Hotel Garbe said on Tuesday: “Some sign posts have been put up but the work has not yet started. We cannot yet say whether this will have a negative effect on the hotel.”
This project is being financed by the QREN, the strategic development programme for Portugal and the programme for public investments of tourist interest in the Algarve.
The work will be undertaken in two phases, the first involving the beachfront between the Hotel Garbe and Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes church. A second phase will renew the area between the church and the fish market.
This renovation will include more green areas, a cultural facility with a library and auditorium, among other facilities.
The replacement of the sewerage and water supply systems, the enlargement of the pedestrian areas between the Hotel Garbe and the fishing dockside are also included in the plan.
The renovations will cause traffic alterations.
For more information, please telephone Silves Câmara on 282 440 800.
