Among the affected restaurants is the 45-year-old restaurant O Barbas, one of 23 threatened with closure. A CMTVAntónio Ramos stressed that “great investments” have been made there and that at present “we do not know what awaits us,” accusing the municipality of Almada of not listening to businessmen.
In late November and early December, business owners received eviction notices from municipal company Wemob, saying they would have to leave the premises within ten days. However, restaurants could remain open as long as monthly fees were paid, with no guarantee of contract renewals. Several businessmen have filed precautionary measures to stop the eviction.
This Friday, the municipality, chaired by Ines de Medeiros (PS), guaranteed that “it has not sent any eviction order to the concessionaires” and that it awaits a new tender procedure.