LOCAL DESIGNERS HELP IMPROVE BUSINESS POTENTIAL OF TOWN CENTRE
Friday 16th December 2011

The Business Association of Xŕbia Histórica has joined forces with the town hall's Department of Economic Development to implement a special initiative to improve the potential of empty shop units in the old town. The first phase of this project is to create false shop windows in a dozen low commercial units with the aid of local design and interior decoration businesses such as Albi Mobles, Botella Oficinas, Anja Hoffman Project Management & Interiors, David Segarra, Bertomeu Grau Interiorismo Textil, Odone Interiorismo, Ice Blue Interiorismo, Tarraula Interiorismo y Decoración, Interio.s, Elena &Co, Jaume Pastor, Tintorera and Jessica Bataille - The Lifestyle Company. Although some have already been completed, these false shop fronts will be displayed from Monday 19th December and it is hoped that they will help improve the general look of a town centre struggling in the face of the "crisis" and give a new life to the commercial potential of the commercial units whilst also promoting the work of a number of local designers.

Pedro Almendros, technical advisor to the project, said that the project would continue throughout 2012 as the association populates a database with all the available information on the commercial properties, such as price and other details of the unit, and these details would soon be available online through a specially-commissioned website. The project will also employ a specialist who will be devoted to negotiating with companies interested in franchising and businesses looking for investment gaps to consider Jávea as a possible location for their business.

Juan Luis Cardona, councillor responsible for Economic Development in Jávea, said that he has been impressed by a project which he considered to be one of "great innovation and uniqueness which could improve the commercial potential of Xŕbia Histórica". He also acknowledged the cooperation between the town hall, the business association, the local designers and the owners of the empty commercial units who have all made it possible to continue with the initiative. He added that the project is only the beginning of a campaign by the Town Hall to encourage businesses to the town centre. For his part, commercial advisor Carlos Jover has already predicted that he will be stepping up the advice to business people through the offices of economic development and special one-stop shops.

Sisco Valles, representing the business association, has invited all the residents of Jávea to enjoy the activities that his members have laid on for the festive period and to admire the "stunning" window displays that have been installed in otherwise empty commercial units.

Source: Press Release - Ajuntament Xŕbia