OPINIÃO PÚBLICA went back out on the street to gather the opinions of traders from other arteries of the city, following an initial report at Praça D. Maria II where shop owners warned of a sharp decline in sales after requalification works and lack of parking. The newspaper headed to Rua Vasconcelos e Castro, Rua Alves Roçadas and Rua de Santo António to see if the concerns were widespread.
Jorge Coelho, owner of a wine shop on Rua Vasconcelos e Castro, believes local commerce is "on its last legs" and that the city "has been destroyed over the last 20 years or more". The trader points to failures in space planning, such as pavements wider than the carriageway and poorly designed loading and unloading zones, lamenting that after the works, four spaces on his street were allocated to taxis. Jorge Coelho also criticised that interventions are carried out without "a vision for the future".
Camilo Ferreira, from Casa Marinheiro, one of the oldest shops in the city on Rua de Santo António, notes that the sector is "a bit unwell" and that "purchases have dropped". Jéssica Sampaio, an employee at a décor shop on Rua Alves Roçadas, corroborates this view, emphasising that the most frequent feedback from customers is the lack of parking, which has worsened. The shop assistant also reports the loss of identity of the space after the works, safety problems with damaged paving stones and scooters travelling at high speed on pavements without enforcement.
The relocation of festivities and fairs to other areas of the city is another cause for protest. Taísa Freire, with a shop on Rua Alves Roçadas, suggests that "some kind of procession" or initiatives should pass through the street. Jéssica Sampaio mentions that the recent Craft and Gastronomy Fair and Christmas activities, previously held in the area, were transferred to the market, criticising that "they are forgetting the people from up here". Jorge Coelho also acknowledges that there may be "some complacency" among traditional commerce entrepreneurs regarding opening hours.
