READY, STEADY, GONE: SHOPPING VOUCHERS SELL OUT IN FOUR DAYS
Long queues were experienced at distribution points, leaving some residents disappointed
The latest shopping voucher campaign, launched at the beginning of the week, has already sold out, leaving many residents disappointed after standing in long queues at the distribution points. Almost 3,200 vouchers worth 150 euros were available which could be spent in participating local businesses, the applicants paying 50 euros whilst the local council met the 100 euro balance.
In less than four days, all 3,190 vouchers have been claimed. Long queues had been witnessed at the OAC complex in Portal del Clot, at the Tourist Info Xàbia Port, and at the Civic Punt in the Arenal as residents clamoured for the vouchers. The last of them were distributed today (Friday) in the Arenal, leaving several residents disappointed, despite the fact that they had already had their documentation checked and their names placed on a list. Some hopefuls claimed to have been waiting for almost five hours to reach the front only to be told that there were no more vouchers available, despite being assured earlier in the day that they would get one. Others simply gave up after a couple of hours of waiting.
The responsible councillor Juanlu Cardona (Economic Dynamization) has expressed his regret that some residents were not able to get their hands on a shopping voucher and admitted that the method of acquiring them would be studied to avoid the long queues for any future campaigns.
That said, he said that this current campaign has clearly been a great success, not only because all the available vouchers were claimed in such a short time but also because the objective of the campaign is to promote local purchases, reactivating commerce out of season. The total campaign will inject 475,000 euros into the local economy in the low season, of which 315,000 euros has been covered by public funding subsidy.
