Following discussions between Los Verdes Councillor for the Coast, Sr. Monserrate Guillén, and the PP Councillors, Sr. José Antonio Aniorte (Councillor for the Coast) and Sr. José Manuel Cutillas (Councillor with responsibility for markets) we are able to give an update on the markets situation in Orihuela Costa.
Campoamor Market.
The decision has been taken by the PP Councillors to leave the market at it's current location in Agua Marina and not to move it back to its original site in Campoamor during the summer months as originally planned.
This will please the current stall holders as they are more than happy with the current site.
Perhaps we should call it the Aqua Marina market from now on!
Rastrillo (Flea Market).
The news on this subject is not so good at this time but with hope for the future.
It has been confirmed to Los Verdes that there will not be any licences issued for Rastrillos to be held within restaurant premises such as the Emerald Isle, Celtic Isle or Asturias Restaurant.
The explanation given to Councillor Guillén by the PP Councillors is that as many applications had been received for permission to hold Rastrillos, it would not be justifiable to offer licences to all of them and to select a few whilst rejecting the majority would create an unacceptable precedent.
There is hope for the future in that it was also confirmed that it was the Council's intention to hold a Rastrillo on the original Campoamor market site, although no start date has been given.
Los Verdes will continue to monitor the situation with regards both markets and look for further discussions with the PP Councillors concerned to see the Rastrillo start at the very earliest opportunity.
Showing posts with label Campoamor Market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campoamor Market. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Campoamor Market Rubbish Spoils Agua Marina Promenade
Whilst it is important that the Campoamor Market is successful, what we don't want is for it to spoil the environment around it because of litter left by the stall holders and shoppers, but that is just what is happening!
On a walk along the Paseo Marítimo in Agua Marina I noted a substantial quantity of litter spoiling the cliff edge alongside the promenade as can be seen from the photographs. It is obvious that the vast majority of this has originated from the market which is held in Calle Fuego.
The litter being seen here has three causes, firstly that some of the stall holders fail to clean away all their rubbish correctly, secondly that the Council fails to ensure that the area is cleaned properly after the market has finished, and thirdly that a small minority members of the public can't be bothered to take their shopping rubbish home.
This unacceptable situation will be brought to the attention of the Ayuntaniento in Orihuela Costa with a request that the rubbish is cleared without delay.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Two more European Resident's stalls at the Campoamor Market.
On the 18th March I reported that Los Verdes had received confirmation that 4 of the European resident traders that the party has been helping with their applications to obtain sites on the Campoamor market were successful. They had been allocated 4 of the 10 pitches that had become available as a result of the recent review, by the Council, of the stalls not being used.
Today (26th March) saw two, of the lucky four, trading at the market only 1 day after receiving the all important official confirmation from the Council of their (stall holders) allocation of a pitch.
Alex and Gill Lightbody sell a range of water filters, batteries, electric light bulbs and household goods.
Barry and Sue Gentry sell a range of arts and craft materials and toys.
Both set of traders stated that they were very pleased and excited to at last be trading at the market after such a long anxious period since their first applications to the Council and thanked Los Verdes for all the party's work and involvement in helping them to obtain a pitch. Sue Gentry said she was “over the moon” about the outcome. Barry added "the Spanish pitch holders showed a willingness to accept us".
It is very good to see the Campoamor market filling up and more of the 80 or so pitches being occupied. However when Los Verdes were told of the recent re-allocations it was stated by the Council representative that only 10 pitches had become available. It follows on therefore that when visiting the market today we would have expected to see somewhere in the region of 95%, or more, of the sites occupied but unfortunately this was not the case, as can been seen from the photograph. In the region of 20 pitches were vacant and the space being used for parking of traders vehicles.
Allowing for some genuine reasons for a small number of traders not attending today, where were the rest of them?
Los Verdes hope that their absence has been noted and that these will count towards the '5 non-attendances and your out' rule so that those traders that want to attend the market, and are still waiting, will get the all important pitch allocation. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Today (26th March) saw two, of the lucky four, trading at the market only 1 day after receiving the all important official confirmation from the Council of their (stall holders) allocation of a pitch.
Alex and Gill Lightbody sell a range of water filters, batteries, electric light bulbs and household goods.
Barry and Sue Gentry sell a range of arts and craft materials and toys.
Both set of traders stated that they were very pleased and excited to at last be trading at the market after such a long anxious period since their first applications to the Council and thanked Los Verdes for all the party's work and involvement in helping them to obtain a pitch. Sue Gentry said she was “over the moon” about the outcome. Barry added "the Spanish pitch holders showed a willingness to accept us".
It is very good to see the Campoamor market filling up and more of the 80 or so pitches being occupied. However when Los Verdes were told of the recent re-allocations it was stated by the Council representative that only 10 pitches had become available. It follows on therefore that when visiting the market today we would have expected to see somewhere in the region of 95%, or more, of the sites occupied but unfortunately this was not the case, as can been seen from the photograph. In the region of 20 pitches were vacant and the space being used for parking of traders vehicles.
Allowing for some genuine reasons for a small number of traders not attending today, where were the rest of them?
Los Verdes hope that their absence has been noted and that these will count towards the '5 non-attendances and your out' rule so that those traders that want to attend the market, and are still waiting, will get the all important pitch allocation. We will continue to monitor the situation.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Campoamor Market - Re-allocation of non-utilized pitches
I reported in the article on the 3rd March (about the meeting held with Clr Cutillas to discuss the Campoarmor market) that we were assured by Sr Cutillas that he would telephone Ulla Perret, Los Verdes member, on the 16th March to give an update on the re-allocation of non utilized market pitches.
Today (18th March), having still not received a call from the Councillor several attempts were made to contact him to obtain an update. As he was not available messages were left requesting the information.
As a direct result of the Los Verdes calls today we received an answer. As a result of the review carried out, with the deadline date of the 13th March 2009, there are only 10 pitches that have become vacant and of these 4 have been allocated to applicants (European residents) that Los Verdes have been helping to obtain a site.
Whilst this will be good news for the successful applicants we are disappointed in the number allocated. It would appear that there are still less than 9% of the total pitches (80) at the market allocated to European residents. This seems to fall short from the statement by Sr. Cutillas on the 3rd March that he wanted the market to be made up of a variety of different nationalities.
With the confirmation that only 10 pitches were not wanted by the previous licence holders, it must follow on that once the new traders take up these 10 sites the Campoamor market will be fully occupied every Thursday from now on. Los Verdes hope this is the case!
Members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group will continue to monitor the situation to see whether or not the "4 weeks non-attendance and the trader looses the licence" rule is adhered to by the Councillor for Markets.
Today (18th March), having still not received a call from the Councillor several attempts were made to contact him to obtain an update. As he was not available messages were left requesting the information.
As a direct result of the Los Verdes calls today we received an answer. As a result of the review carried out, with the deadline date of the 13th March 2009, there are only 10 pitches that have become vacant and of these 4 have been allocated to applicants (European residents) that Los Verdes have been helping to obtain a site.
Whilst this will be good news for the successful applicants we are disappointed in the number allocated. It would appear that there are still less than 9% of the total pitches (80) at the market allocated to European residents. This seems to fall short from the statement by Sr. Cutillas on the 3rd March that he wanted the market to be made up of a variety of different nationalities.
With the confirmation that only 10 pitches were not wanted by the previous licence holders, it must follow on that once the new traders take up these 10 sites the Campoamor market will be fully occupied every Thursday from now on. Los Verdes hope this is the case!
Members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group will continue to monitor the situation to see whether or not the "4 weeks non-attendance and the trader looses the licence" rule is adhered to by the Councillor for Markets.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Campoamor Market Councillor meets Los Verdes
Today (3rd March) four members of the Orihuela Costa Working Group of Los Verdes of Orihuela, accompanied by three applicants for stalls on the Campoamor Market, attended a meeting with José Manuel Cutillas, the Councillor with responsibility for markets, at the Ayuntamiento in Orihuela.
Los Verdes member Ulla Perret explained to the Councillor the concerns of the many non-Spanish business people who have applied, but been unsuccessful in their applications, to obtain a stall on the market, although for the many weeks that it has been open, both at the original and new location, there have been almost half of the sites left vacant. The stall holders who have been allocated these positions have chosen not to attend. The Councillor was asked why the pitches that were left vacant were not re-allocated to traders who wanted to attend the market.
Sr. Cutillas confirmed during the meeting that the current under-utilisation of the pitches in the market was under review. The traders who have chosen not to attend each week have been given until the 13th March 2009 to confirm whether or not they wish to keep their pitch and will be trading each week. Any sites that are confirmed as no longer wanted will be re-allocated amongst the outstanding applications. The Councillor was asked what was to stop unscrupulous traders who had no intention at this time of being at the market but prepared to pay for a pitch so as to keep the allocation for future use. He confirmed that if a pitch was not occupied for a period of four weeks then the trader would lose the licence and it would be re-allocated.
Sr. Cutillas was asked why this procedure, in accordance with the current Bye-law governing any market in the Orihuela Municipal, has not been acted upon already, given the length of time the market has been in existence both at the Campoamor and Aqua Marina locations, and the empty pitches issued to some of the enthusiastic traders who desperately want to be part of the Campoamor market. He said that because of the inadequacies in the start and promotion of the market at the Campoamor site and change of location to the Agua Marina site it was being treated as a new market.
(This seems a convenient way of ignoring past non-attendance and giving the deliberately absent stall holders a second bite of the cherry.)
He was asked if that means that when the market moves back to its summer Campoamor site, traders will have to reapply for sites there. He said of course not, as it is the same market!
Councillor Cutillas confirmed that he would telephone Ulla Perret, as a member of the Orihuela Costa Working Group, on the 16th March 2008 to give an update on the progress of possible vacant sites and re-allocation of these, to the traders being assisted by Los Verdes.
Sr. Cutillas confirmed that he wanted the market to be made up of a variety of traders of different nationalities and that preference would be given to residents of Orihuela Municipality where possible, taking into consideration the products sold.
Although some of those who met Councillor Cutillas were not entirely satisfied with the response from him, it was clear that at this time there was not going to be any further progress from his department until after the 13th March, but they wait with intense interest to see how he acts after then.
Will there be any re-allocation of market spaces to European residents of Orihuela?
Los Verdes member Ulla Perret explained to the Councillor the concerns of the many non-Spanish business people who have applied, but been unsuccessful in their applications, to obtain a stall on the market, although for the many weeks that it has been open, both at the original and new location, there have been almost half of the sites left vacant. The stall holders who have been allocated these positions have chosen not to attend. The Councillor was asked why the pitches that were left vacant were not re-allocated to traders who wanted to attend the market.
Sr. Cutillas confirmed during the meeting that the current under-utilisation of the pitches in the market was under review. The traders who have chosen not to attend each week have been given until the 13th March 2009 to confirm whether or not they wish to keep their pitch and will be trading each week. Any sites that are confirmed as no longer wanted will be re-allocated amongst the outstanding applications. The Councillor was asked what was to stop unscrupulous traders who had no intention at this time of being at the market but prepared to pay for a pitch so as to keep the allocation for future use. He confirmed that if a pitch was not occupied for a period of four weeks then the trader would lose the licence and it would be re-allocated.
Sr. Cutillas was asked why this procedure, in accordance with the current Bye-law governing any market in the Orihuela Municipal, has not been acted upon already, given the length of time the market has been in existence both at the Campoamor and Aqua Marina locations, and the empty pitches issued to some of the enthusiastic traders who desperately want to be part of the Campoamor market. He said that because of the inadequacies in the start and promotion of the market at the Campoamor site and change of location to the Agua Marina site it was being treated as a new market.
(This seems a convenient way of ignoring past non-attendance and giving the deliberately absent stall holders a second bite of the cherry.)
He was asked if that means that when the market moves back to its summer Campoamor site, traders will have to reapply for sites there. He said of course not, as it is the same market!
Councillor Cutillas confirmed that he would telephone Ulla Perret, as a member of the Orihuela Costa Working Group, on the 16th March 2008 to give an update on the progress of possible vacant sites and re-allocation of these, to the traders being assisted by Los Verdes.
Sr. Cutillas confirmed that he wanted the market to be made up of a variety of traders of different nationalities and that preference would be given to residents of Orihuela Municipality where possible, taking into consideration the products sold.
Although some of those who met Councillor Cutillas were not entirely satisfied with the response from him, it was clear that at this time there was not going to be any further progress from his department until after the 13th March, but they wait with intense interest to see how he acts after then.
Will there be any re-allocation of market spaces to European residents of Orihuela?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Campoamor Market Fiasco!
Today (8th January 2009) was the first day for the struggling Campoamor Market ( Mercado de Dehesa Campoamor to give it is official title) at it's new winter location in Calle Fuego in the Agua Marina area of Orihuela Costa, as I reported on the 31st December 2008.
I say winter site because it (the market) will only be in C/ Fuego for the months of October to May as it will be at the original Dehesa de Campoamor location for June to September inclusive according to a notice by Councillor José Manuel Cutillas Conesa, who has responsibility for the markets, dated 18th December 2008.
I visited the market this morning with the hope of seeing a revitalised and bustling local market full of local traders and customers - some hope!
What I found was a fiasco. Another failure by the PP Council and in particular by Councillor Cutillas.
Of the 80 pitches less than 10 were occupied by stall holders who were open for business. The photographs show the situation better than I can describe.
Let me clarify that more than 10 stall holders arrived at the market before the start of business but many were not prepared to set up their stalls as, I understand, they were unhappy with the unloading and parking facilities of the Calle Fuego location. It can be seen in the photographs the numerous trader's vans left parked on the pitches with the goods still locked inside, whilst the unhappy owners relocated into local cafés.
Not only was there a lack of traders but as can be seen a distinct lake of customers! Why? Because the Councillor failed to ensure that there was any publicity to inform the public of the change of site. An ideal opportunity to promote the market to help it succeed was neglected.
I left the market at approximately 10:50 hrs. as several of the stalls that had opened were being closed and packed away, even before the rain that came started.
As a result of the article on this Blog on New Years Eve I received an email from a well known local journalist which included this statement, “I'm interested in the market story - I knew this was on the cards, but cannot believe that nothing has been officially announced” (referring to the failure by the Council).
What's the good of moving the market and not telling the customers? Do the Council really want the market to succeed? Is the Council going to alter all the road signs that direct people to the Dehesa de Campoamor site during October to May?
It's well understood that a good location is one of the main considerations for successful retail outlets, including markets, so why change from a site that has plenty of space (room for expansion) and better and easier access for stall holders and customers. The reason for the lack of success of the Campoamor market is not the location, - it is the failure of the PP Council to get it's act together to manage and promote the market correctly! Wouldn't it have been better for them to have sorted out the problems rather than just move them to the new inadequate winter site.
Why didn't they combine a 'car boot sale' (second hand goods only) alongside the then existing market, and provide the public with what they like and want . The Council could have done it, and still could, with the correct management, and would have attracted the number of customers that the market needs to be successful for the stall holders. That is if the will is there to, which is in doubt.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Campoamor Market is Moving!
During discussions with Sr. Cutillas, Councillor responsible for the Markets, it was confirmed to Los Verdes that as from the 8th January 2009 the Campoamor Market will be moved to a new location in the Agua Marina area of Orihuela Costa, near to the Health Centre.
It was also confirmed that those market traders (mostly English) who had sought the help from Los Verdes to obtain a stall will be allocated a pitch at the new location and each stall holder will receive written notification of their positions in the relocated market.
It was also confirmed that those market traders (mostly English) who had sought the help from Los Verdes to obtain a stall will be allocated a pitch at the new location and each stall holder will receive written notification of their positions in the relocated market.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Market forces at work in Campoamor
The following article appeared in the Costa Blanc News on Friday 1oth october 2008.
Monserrate Guillén has had a preliminary meeting with councillor José Manuel Cutillas, and the council member of staff responsible for the allocation of pitches at the market, to discuss the problems and possible solutions in relation to the market's future, that is referred to in the article.
Market forces at work in Campoamor
Laws to legalise car boot sales planned
By Nuria Pérez
According to the councillor they are looking at moving the market to a different area or allowing additional stalls.
And he admitted it was not proving as popular and busy as predicted.
He said: “Stalls offering different and original products are needed to attract more visitors.”
As a result the councillor is encouraging such traders to apply for a stall.
He added: “We will make a decision on December about how to promote the market.
"Campoamor market has many stalls of clothes and fruit and vegetables and it needs different products.
“We will check all applications and those traders offering something different will have a better chance of getting a stall.”
Several residents talked to Green party (Los Verdes) councillor Monserrate Guillén on Tuesday about the apparent unavailability of stalls being allocated.
Sr Guillén said he would meet councillor José Manuel Cutillas in the coming weeks to find a solution.
He said: “Sr Cutillas is really interested in promoting the market and in finding a good and suitable solution.
“However we think December is too late.
“A good variety of goods attract visitors and visitors attract more traders.”
According to Sr Guillén only 30 traders set up every Thursday in Campoamor even though more than 80 have been handed licences.
He added: “The traders lose their licence if they are missing for four weeks.”
When applying for a licence new traders should specify which goods they will be offering.
“I advise them to offer different goods to fruit and vegetables and clothes,” he added.
And in another development this week Sr Cutillas told CBNews the council is studying possibilities to legalise car boot sales.
He explained: “Car boot sales are a British tradition and they are pretty difficult to rule on because they are an unknown entity in Spanish law.
“Streets markets are ruled by local bylaws but this is not the case for car boot sales.
“We need to find or to create a special law to regulate them.
“Car boot sales must be respected must they must obey the law too.”
Sr Guillén said they would cooperate with the councillor in this matter.
He said: “Car boot sales cannot take place on the streets.
“We will suggest that they are held in special and safe places.”
nperez@cbnews.es
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Campoamor Market Dominates Surgery
The Surgery held today (7th October 2008) was a very busy morning, starting at the new time of 10.00 a.m. Monserrate Guillén (centre left in photograph), Los Verdes Councillor for the Coast, discussed a variety of problems that residents wanted help with but the predominant subject was the situation with regards to the Campoamor market and the apparent unavailability of stalls being allocated to non-Spanish traders.This matter was dealt with as a group discussion, so that Monserrate Guillén could gain information on both specific cases of applications for stalls, and the overall opinion about the current situation and suggestions for securing the future of the market. Louise Clarke from the Round Town News paper was present for this part of the meeting.
Several of the traders were advised and assisted in the completion of fresh applications for stalls where necessary, whilst others provided copies of applications already submitted. It was made clear to applicants for stalls by Councillor Guillén that whilst he was not directly involved in the allocation of spaces he would do his utmost on their behalf to seek for a successful conclusion to their application.
Everyone present agreed it was very important to see the survival and growth of a vibrant market at Campoamor in which an extensive variety of goods were available from a wide spectrum of traders. The commitment of the Los Verdes of Orihuela party to work for this aim was strongly re-affirmed.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Los Verdes concerns about the Campoamor Market
Members of the Los Verdes Working Group in Orihuela Costa were present at the Market in Campoamor on Thursday the 2nd October to promote the Clean up the Costa campaign.
Several people took the opportunity to talk to the representatives, of Los Verdes, about their concerns in respect of the management of the market in relation to the method of allocation of spaces, the number of continuing empty spaces, and the low numbers of the public attending each week.
It was confirmed that this is a matter of great concern to Los Verdes, who have been monitoring the actual situation over the past few weeks with visits to the market to collect relevant information. As a result, the party has been able to help one trader in the quest to successfully obtain a space at the market.
Several traders, both current and hopeful stall holders were given appointments to meet Councillor Monserrate Guillén, Councillor for the Coast, at the next Los Verdes surgery, to be held at the Celtic Isle on the 7th October, to discuss their concerns.
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