Alameda shopkeepers dread Metro works

SHOPKEEPERS in Malaga have voiced their concern over the effect the Metro could have on their businesses.

Those on the Alameda de Malaga fear the construction work scheduled for early 2015 on the Metro could disrupt their businesses. Some even wonder if they will still be around when the new subway stations are inaugurated.

The manager of Farmacia Caffarena, Carmen Vargas, said she had been through a similar situation before. “I remember the construction done on Plaza de la Marina and the parking area. It was terrible. Sometimes they take longer than expected because the money runs out,” she said when talking to the media.

The owner of Libreria Luces, Jose Antonio Ruiz, is worried, too, especially because of how long the construction project could take. “The foreseen execution periods are laughable. You would have to be gullible to believe them,” he said.

Santiago Campos from Pelucas Paco’s hopes it does not take five or six years. “They cannot stop construction because of archaeological finds. We must look after our heritage but construction cannot take forever,” he complained. “Between the dust, lack of traffic and reduced foot traffic they are going to destroy trade,” said Jose Maria Pinto from Bolsos Antonio.

Though nobody knows for sure when construction on the next phase of the Malaga Metro will start as no exact date has been set yet, it is expected to be sometime after Christmas, and while many shopkeepers realise the Metro could be beneficial for their businesses in the future, they also fear the unforeseen consequences its construction could have for them.