Dr. Roque da Silveira Street, known as Rua Direita, in Vila Real, was for decades the city's main commercial center. However, the current reality is far from what it was 20 or 30 years ago, with more shops closed than open and a climate of discouragement among the few traders who still resist.
Most traders did not want to make statements to VTM's report, but those who did expressed their discontent. Comments like "This is bad" and "Rua Direita is dying" illustrate the sense of decline in the area.
Marciano Castro, who has maintained a shoe repair shop on the street for 52 years, was more explicit in his statements. The trader acknowledges that business "is terrible" and that "the trend is to get worse," revealing the difficult situation he faces after more than five decades of commercial activity at that location.
The article, published by the newspaper A Voz de Trás-os-Montes, is part of a broader report on the challenges faced by traditional commerce in the city. This is premium content, requiring a subscription for full access.
