torrevieja to Cover up to 80% of Market Stallholders’ Costs During La Plasa Renovation
- Torrevieja City Council will prepare subsidies to cover up to 80% of rent, electricity and water for market stallholders forced to relocate while La Plasa is renovated.
- Works on the municipal market begin mid-October and will last about 14 months; final contract awarded to Cobra IS (Grupo Cobra) for €8.2M (VAT incl.).
- The aid will be included in the 2026 budget and applied retroactively from the moment merchants start renting temporary premises.
- Merchants have options: close permanently, rent nearby while works continue, or pause activity and return to renovated stalls (with priority rights).
- The project follows years of controversy over the market’s history,previous demolitions and a costly buyback of rights by the town hall.
Introduction
The Torrevieja town hall is finalizing a support plan for the traders of La Plasa municipal market who must vacate their premises as the building undergoes a major renovation starting mid-October. The planned subsidies aim to reduce the financial impact on long-standing small businesses during a 14-month construction period.
What the aid Will Cover
Rosario Martínez Chazarra, Torrevieja’s councillor for Commerce, explained that the municipal scheme-modeled on the ”Plan Resistir” used during the COVID crisis-seeks to cover up to 80% of key operating costs for affected stallholders.Specifically:
- Rent for temporary premises
- Electricity costs
- Water bills
The grants will be included in the 2026 municipal budget and applied retroactively from the moment each merchant begins to pay for a temporary location. However, Martínez Chazarra warned that full payment to beneficiaries may not begin until January 2026, when the new budget year takes effect.
Eligibility and Limits
- The scheme cannot cover 100% of expenses due to legal restrictions on public funds.
- The objective is to justify at least 80% of eligible costs.
- Merchants who pause activity during works will keep priority rights to occupy stalls in the renovated market.
Timeline, costs and Contractor
Key project facts and figures:
| Item | detail |
|---|---|
| Start of works | Mid-October (expected) |
| Duration | 14 months |
| Contractor | Cobra IS (Grupo Cobra) |
| Contract value | €8.2 million (VAT included) |
| Total to date (approx.) | €13.5+ million (including buyback, project fees, management) |
The City Council announced the definitive award to Grupo Cobra-subject to contract formalization and a short period for possible appeals from other bidders. The winning bid was about 8% below the initial figure and shortens the execution timetable by 15 weeks versus earlier projections.
Options for Stallholders
Traders at La Plasa face three main paths during the renovation:
- Close permanently: Some very traditional stalls may close, especially where owners are near retirement.
- Rent nearby: Several merchants have already taken short-term rentals in central Torrevieja despite higher rents,and will be eligible for subsidies.
- Pause and return: Merchants can halt activity for the 14 months and then occupy newly allocated stalls; they will have priority when the renovated market reopens.
The town hall rejected the idea of concentrating traders in a temporary central facility, arguing the low number of interested businesses makes the chosen subsidy route more cost-effective and less disruptive.
Background and Controversy
The La Plasa project is part of a long-running municipal saga.The present commercial building replaced the city’s traditional market in 1995-an act that generated sustained criticism because neighboring towns preserved such historic markets and turned them into gastronomic hubs. over the years Torrevieja’s market has dwindled from around 50 food stalls at opening to just about a dozen in operation today.
The current renovation follows an expensive and contentious repurchase by the town hall of surface rights for the building’s upper floors-a deal that cost about €4.3 million and drew criticism for generating more than €1 million in public benefit to a private firm that had previously acquired the rights. Along with project development and management costs, the cumulative spend on the project exceeds €13.5 million so far.
What to Watch next
- Formal signing of the contract with Grupo Cobra and any appeals from other bidders.
- Publication of the detailed subsidy bases specifying how merchants will claim rent, electricity and water refunds.
- Exact schedule for moving stalls out of La Plasa and confirmation of the mid-October start date.
- Monitoring of municipal budget approval in early 2026 to ensure retroactive application of the aid.
Navigating the Change: Practical Advice for Traders
- Document all temporary rental, electricity and water expenses carefully-reimbursement will require justification.
- Talk to the town hall early to confirm eligibility and to reserve priority rights in the renovated market.
- Consider short-term options in central Torrevieja if proximity to current customers is essential.
Keywords: Torrevieja, La Plasa, municipal market, market renovation, Grupo Cobra, subsidies, rent aid, electricity aid, water aid, 2026 budget, Rosario Martínez Chazarra, Eduardo Dolón.
Sources and credits
- INFORMACIÓN – Rosario Martínez Chazarra interview and project details: https://www.informacion.es/vega-baja/2025/09/19/torrevieja-pagara-80-gastos-alquileres-mercado-de-abastos-plasa-121755307.html