Firms boycott ' expensive' and run- down industrial estates

COMPANIES are turning their backs on Marina Alta industrial estates in droves and heading for other districts due to high rental costs, and a local business association has urged authorities to take steps to stem the flow.

The latest major firm to join the exodus is Clave Dénia, S. A., owner of gift shop chain Ale- Hop – based in Ondara but seeking to expand its Mediterranean empire, it has bought 12 acres ( 4.7 hectares) of land in Tavernes de la Valldigna and another five acres ( two hectares) in Bellreguard for a logistics centre.

Clave Dénia says it is moving its growth plans to La Safor because it can get more space for less money than in the Marina Alta.

Firms are also opting to set up in neighbouring districts such as La Safor and La Ribera, over the border in the province of Valencia, because the industrial parks have better road links for goods transport.

The Marina Alta Traders' Circle ( CEDMA) says its members know of several other enterprises who had been considering investing in the district but opted to set up their operations elsewhere due to cost and transport issues.

CEDMA says it is ' pitiful' how ' big firms with big potential' are having to avoid the district, costing it millions in potential profits, jobs and taxes.

The Circle is calling for more land and better infrastructures, saying the local economy is crying out for both.

Without large companies choosing to set up in the Marina Alta, its culture of low- paid, low- skilled temporary jobs will continue, CEDMA says, because of the area's heavy reliance on summer tourism.