Canarian Weekly
05-04-2013, 11:00
THIS Sunday sees the shops in the Island’s capital,Santa Cruz, open for the first time.
A number of retailers have been crying out for this for many years, but there are others, however, yet to be convinced.
Cruise-ship passengers who stop at the port for the day have long bemoaned the fact that there is little to do on a Sunday.
The City ofSanta Cruz, together with the Government of theCanary Islandsand the Tenerife Cabildo, have reported that 1,700 companies in the capital have joined to open on the first Sunday.
Efraín Medina, Councillor for Economic Development, who was present at the presentation, calledSanta Cruzthe “commercial capital of theAtlantic”.
Santa CruzMayor José Manuel Bermúdez, explained at a press conference that the shops would be open between 11am and 7pm and that there would be 11 points throughout the city with various activities taking place.
Bermudez noted that the aim of the additional opening was “better” consumption and “keeping” jobs, and to demonstrate, he said thatSanta Cruzwas “more alive than ever”.
Florentino Guzman, Councillor and Head of the Development Corporation, said that the Sunday openings would continue until the end of the year and stressed that it was an initiative “to, for and from the trade.”
Guzman added that the forecast was for over 5,000 citizens to visit the city, especially for the shops.
This Sunday there will be three music stages, one of young artists, another with ethnic music and the third occupied by a DJ. There will also be a book fair and craft fair.
Gustavo Matos, Director General of Trade and Consumer Affairs of the Canary Islands, praised the initiative, saying: “Santa Cruzhas never ceased to be fashionable.
“The success of the activity would not be possible without support from traders.”
To support the inaugural opening, a number of events have been organised to help bring the streets alive, under the banner “Come toSanta Cruz”.
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts continues to hold a series of free concerts of classical music by young performers.
And, the photo exhibition Turismundi will exhibit the work of six Canarian photographers in the art room at Parque Garcia Sanabria.
The exhibition has been organised by the Canary Islands Government and will be open to the public for a month.
Carlos Alonso, the Cabildo’s Economic Vice-President, along with Economic Development and Trade Minister Efraín Medina, said the additional activity would “contribute to the revitalisation of the business of the capital”.
Forthright Tenerife Tourism Minister Carlos Alonso said: “The shop-owners say that it’s not worth opening on a Sunday as there is no custom. But there is no custom as everything is closed, so it’s a vicious circle.”
Public transport will also be increased, and the Metropolitan tram line 1’s frequency improves from 15 minutes to 12 minutes until 6pm.
Another attraction for shoppers will be free parking at the exchange for bus/tram users for four hours.
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/shop-til-drop/)
A number of retailers have been crying out for this for many years, but there are others, however, yet to be convinced.
Cruise-ship passengers who stop at the port for the day have long bemoaned the fact that there is little to do on a Sunday.
The City ofSanta Cruz, together with the Government of theCanary Islandsand the Tenerife Cabildo, have reported that 1,700 companies in the capital have joined to open on the first Sunday.
Efraín Medina, Councillor for Economic Development, who was present at the presentation, calledSanta Cruzthe “commercial capital of theAtlantic”.
Santa CruzMayor José Manuel Bermúdez, explained at a press conference that the shops would be open between 11am and 7pm and that there would be 11 points throughout the city with various activities taking place.
Bermudez noted that the aim of the additional opening was “better” consumption and “keeping” jobs, and to demonstrate, he said thatSanta Cruzwas “more alive than ever”.
Florentino Guzman, Councillor and Head of the Development Corporation, said that the Sunday openings would continue until the end of the year and stressed that it was an initiative “to, for and from the trade.”
Guzman added that the forecast was for over 5,000 citizens to visit the city, especially for the shops.
This Sunday there will be three music stages, one of young artists, another with ethnic music and the third occupied by a DJ. There will also be a book fair and craft fair.
Gustavo Matos, Director General of Trade and Consumer Affairs of the Canary Islands, praised the initiative, saying: “Santa Cruzhas never ceased to be fashionable.
“The success of the activity would not be possible without support from traders.”
To support the inaugural opening, a number of events have been organised to help bring the streets alive, under the banner “Come toSanta Cruz”.
The Municipal Museum of Fine Arts continues to hold a series of free concerts of classical music by young performers.
And, the photo exhibition Turismundi will exhibit the work of six Canarian photographers in the art room at Parque Garcia Sanabria.
The exhibition has been organised by the Canary Islands Government and will be open to the public for a month.
Carlos Alonso, the Cabildo’s Economic Vice-President, along with Economic Development and Trade Minister Efraín Medina, said the additional activity would “contribute to the revitalisation of the business of the capital”.
Forthright Tenerife Tourism Minister Carlos Alonso said: “The shop-owners say that it’s not worth opening on a Sunday as there is no custom. But there is no custom as everything is closed, so it’s a vicious circle.”
Public transport will also be increased, and the Metropolitan tram line 1’s frequency improves from 15 minutes to 12 minutes until 6pm.
Another attraction for shoppers will be free parking at the exchange for bus/tram users for four hours.
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/shop-til-drop/)