Businesses in central Lleida are reporting lower sales and fewer passers-by two months after the old bus station, between Avinguda Catalunya and Carrer Saracíbar, closed.
Shop and bar owners say losses range from 20% to 60%. They are asking La Paeria to act quickly on a new project for the site, which they say would help bring activity back to the area.
Rosa Guiu, owner of Bon Paper copy shop on Avinguda Blondel, said the effect on local trade has been gradual but is now clear. She said her business is surviving on small sales and that the nearby intercity bus stop still helps some customers get on and off buses without going to the new station.
Annabel Pau, manager of the Plusfresc supermarket on Blondel, also reported a drop in sales. She said bus users used to make small purchases, such as bread, before travelling on.
Cafes near the former station entrances are also feeling the impact. The owner of Cafeteria Viena and Biscotto said customer numbers have fallen by 65% and that he is considering closing one of the businesses. He said many of his clients were commuters travelling to Lleida for work, and cited one case in which a young woman lost her job after arriving late from the new station.
Carla Acosta, who works at Cafeteria Nikos, said sales are down by almost 40%. The owners of Cafeteria Alma & CO estimate a fall of about 20%. All of them want the council to move ahead with a short-term plan for the site.
La Paeria opened a public participation process in February to gather ideas for the old station, including a car park, a gym and a medical centre. Some business owners say the council has delayed decisions for too long. At the same time, several local traders say the area is cleaner and safer, with less deterioration, fewer robberies and fewer homeless people.