The departure of the textile brand Mango from Concepción Street adds to a long list of major brands that have left Huelva's city centre in recent years, raising alarms among merchants and residents.
The historic Mango store on Concepción Street in Huelva has closed its doors, joining a long list of major brands that have abandoned the commercial heart of the capital of Huelva. This new farewell has rekindled fears of a "commercial death" of the centre, a concern that merchants and neighbourhood associations have been carrying for years.
With Mango's departure, only Stradivarius remains as the sole representative of the Inditex group in the centre, after Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, and Bershka have already left. Other chains like Springfield have also closed their stores on the pedestrian streets. The merchants' association Calles del Centro has expressed its concern over this trend, which they consider "alarming."
Cinta Platero, president of Calles del Centro, lamented the situation in statements to this newspaper: "We see franchises and major brands as allies because they attract customers. It is foolish to see these stores as enemies. The good thing is to have a lot of options and then let the customer choose what they want." For Platero, the loss of major brands weakens the centre's appeal as a shopping destination.
The association's president pointed to the disproportionate rise in rental prices as the main cause of this exodus. "If rents go up disproportionately, unfortunately, many will go home. In many cases, they are clearer than in Plaza Mayor in Madrid, where rents are at 1,500 euros, and that's why you can't find anything in Plaza de las Monjas, for example," she denounced.
Platero has criticized the stance of several property owners in the centre, who, according to her, "prefer to keep the premises closed and earn nothing rather than be more flexible and earn something and contribute to economic movement in the city." Additionally, she urged these owners to tidy up the closed premises, as they "give an appearance of abandonment that is sad and disheartening."
In light of this situation, Calles del Centro has announced its intention to convene a meeting in September with business owners, property owners, and the Huelva City Council. "We want to see what each party thinks about this situation. We need a catalyst. We have to do something because Mango is the last straw," Platero emphasized, who hopes that "it can be resolved together, because we don't have a magic wand, nor does the City Council, but the situation is a shame."
The association has also pointed out that the closures of Inditex stores in city centres are part of a strategic decision by the group, which has moved its stores to large shopping centres on the outskirts. In the case of Huelva, the Holea shopping centre has concentrated a good part of these brands, taking advantage of the fact that distances are not as great as in larger cities.
Another factor that has contributed to the decline of the centre, according to Platero, is the loss of parking spaces around the old market due to the works for the future Plaza Mayor. Parking alternatives are further away, and public transport does not penetrate the centre. The president has proposed the implementation of zero-emission electric buses that reach Plaza de las Monjas to "bring more life" to the area.
However, not all news is bad. In recent months, expectations of recovery have arisen with the project for the new building that will be erected on the site where the old La Ibense store was located. Businessman Pepe Gómez Sierra, known as 'El Marismeño', announced a few months ago that "we have recovered for the centre one of the brands that once left the centre of Huelva. Soon I will be able to tell you which one it is." Although Calles del Centro points out that "demolition has taken place, but for now the work is on hold," the possibility of an Inditex brand or another chain returning to the centre keeps hope alive.
Meanwhile, merchants in Huelva's city centre continue to await concrete measures to halt the commercial bleeding and restore life to the pedestrian streets. The meeting scheduled for September is shaping up to be an opportunity to seek joint solutions among all parties involved.
You may also like
