Bars and restaurants join nationwide call for support
Marina Alta association AEHTMA backs demo in Madrid as 4,000 businesses in Spain go under due to the pandemic, costing 300,000 jobs
BAR- OWNERS and restaurateurs in the Marina Alta have joined forces with nationwide protesters who fear the pandemic could cost them their livelihoods.
They are calling for help with job creation and protection, for drumming up more demand, and for restructuring the industry after it took a major hit from the lockdown and then from a 75% drop in summer holidaymakers.
Better health, safety and hygiene support, proper management in areas which have suffered fresh outbreaks, an extension of the temporary lay- off ( ERTE) or ' furlough' system until the virus is completely beaten, and reductions in or exemptions from social security payments, especially where they are forced to shut, are among the measures the nationwide campaign wants.
Along with at least 50 other organised trade groups from all over the country, the DéniaMarina Alta hostelry and tourism business owners' associary ation ( AEHTMA) headed for Madrid to stage a demonstration in the city's iconic Plaza de Cibeles.
AEHTMA's chairwoman and secretary- general, Cristina Sellés and Reme Cerdá have attended meetings run by national associations, and joined in chanting ' save our bars and restaurants' and ' save our nightspots' in a high- profile protest in the capital.
As well as all the above measures, the 50- plus organisations want a two- year stay of grace in paying back government loans they are set to acquire to help rebuild their businesses, financial assistance in paying rent and overheads on their premises, and an exemption from their council, regional and profit taxes.
They are proposing statesubsidised family or office party discounts and a temporIVA cut on their products and services in a bid to stimulate demand.
“We need urgent support, because around 4,000 premises in Spain have had to close for good due to the pandemic and the restrictions imposed, resulting in a loss of more than 300,000 jobs, and the industry's turnover is half what it was this time last year,” said AEHTMA.