Stallholders at the Av. São João de Deus municipal market in Portimão are calling for reduced rents and opening hours, as a shortage of customers and high operating costs are killing their business.
The traders say it is not financially viable to keep their businesses open until late in the afternoon and have requested to the market’s administration that a new timetable is created.
Rents are also too high, they say, and a review of stall rental rates has been requested.
The local PSD political group has slammed the Câmara and its mayor Manuel da Luz for ignoring the calls of stallholders and their proposals to introduce new measures to attract consumers.
The market is currently open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm and on Saturdays and bank holidays from 7am to 2pm. It is closed on Sundays.
