Summary
- Two years ago, benidorm City Council awarded Grupo Cívica the concession to manage the bus station and its commercial area.
- A new Fitness Park gym is currently under construction on the first floor, expected to open by the end of the year.
- Other commercial spaces remain largely inactive, with many areas blocked and lacking improvements.
- The opposition criticizes the slow progress and poor image the station presents to residents and tourists alike.
- Plans include a bowling alley and a dining zone to revitalise the upper floors by expanding leisure options.
- Grupo Cívica committed to a 40-year concession with a lease fee of €9.1 million plus 1% of gross annual revenues.
The Two Faces of Benidorm’s Bus Station: Progress Amidst Criticism, Two Years After New Concession
Benidorm’s bus station, a vital hub for thousands of local commuters and tourists, has been under a new concession agreement managed by Alicante-based Grupo Cívica for the last two years. While some signs of life have begun to emerge in the commercial zones,especially with the imminent opening of a large fitness center,many areas within this key infrastructure remain dormant,drawing criticism from political opposition and the local community.
Revitalization Efforts Begin to Take Shape
Since taking over management in July 2022, Grupo Cívica has focused on maintenance and gradual improvements, particularly on the ground floor where bus transport services operate. This area remains the busiest and serves as a gateway for the steady flow of visitors entering and leaving Benidorm, especially during the tourism peak.
However, the commercial spaces on upper floors had been underutilized for years, notably since Mercadona, the supermarket occupying a large ground-level space of 1,800 square meters, closed its doors three years ago.
Now,a major progress is underway with Fitness Park,a notable French gym brand boasting over 70 locations in Spain,establishing a new center on the first floor beneath the gym area.Construction started in June, and the fitness center promises extended hours, opening daily from 6 a.m. until 1 a.m., aiming to enhance the station’s commercial appeal significantly.
Future Plans for Leisure and Dining
According to sources from Grupo Cívica, this fitness project marks the first milestone, with a projected completion by the end of 2024. Additionally, contracts have been signed with other tenants for vacant premises, with renovation works set to begin after summer.
the concessionaire envisions the addition of further attractions such as:
- A bowling alley or other leisure options on the rest of the first floor
- A dedicated dining and restaurant zone on the top floor of the station
Thes moves aim to transform the bus station from a purely transportation hub into a multifunctional commercial and leisure destination, aligning with Benidorm’s tourism-focused image and economic vitality.
Opposition Voices Concerns Over Pace and Image
despite these initiatives, criticism from local opposition remains vocal. Sergi Castillo, deputy spokesperson for the Socialist Municipal Group, expressed frustration this week regarding the station’s slow transformation:
“Despite many announcements, the bus station remains a ghostly infrastructure, offering a poor image to the thousands of users and tourists passing through every month,” said Castillo. “The progress in the commercial zone is insufficient. Visitors see a grey, gloomy building without activity, far from representing the vibrant spirit of Benidorm.”
He recalled the troubled past of the station, marked by judicial disputes and commercial decline after an initially promising launch. Castillo emphasized that the commercial concept functioned only briefly before gradually fading into near abandonment.
Concession Details and Historical Context
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Concession awarded | July 2022 |
| Concessionaire | Grupo Cívica |
| Concession duration | Until 2063 (41 years) |
| Annual fee and royalties | €9.1 million plus 1% of gross income |
| Scope | Bus station operations, commercial zones, underground parking, and hotel management |
Grupo Cívica took over the concession following a court-ordered re-tendering, imposed after the Generalitat Valenciana’s high court and the Supreme Court invalidated the previous contract. They divided the complex into three operational lots, maintaining control over critical components that shape both transport services and commercial management.
What Lies Ahead?
The future development of Benidorm’s bus station depends on accelerating commercial and leisure facility openings to match the expectations of the city’s residents and visitors. As the first gym space progresses, hope grows that more operators will soon revitalize the empty corridors and blocked access points, giving the station a fresh, lively atmosphere.
As Benidorm continues to reinvent itself as a premier tourist destination on Spain’s Costa Blanca, the fate of its transportation hubs like the bus station plays a crucial role in crafting a cohesive, welcoming experience.
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