Living on the costa

The energy saving plan approved by the Government last Monday – which seeks to reduce energy consumption-, has generated disparity in the shops of the center and the old town of Marbella, causing support and rejection accompanied by uncertainty and ignorance in the application of the measures in many of the establishments consulted.

The implementation of energy saving measures approved by the central government it has been produced laxly in the shops of the Old Town and the center of the town, where after 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday, normalcy reigned, both among the shops and among the passers-by.

The ringing of the bells of the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation marked the rush hour, and at 10:00 p.m. most of the shop windows in the old town of Marbella and the Ricardo Soriano Avenue They have been part of the lighting and have brought light to the tracks, although almost half an hour already some of them have been turned off in the wide street or in the main Street.

The decree-law has entered into force this Wednesday, with which the temperature of shops and public buildings is regulated, as well as forcing turn off the lights and shop windows at 10:00 p.m.

The measure -q–has not left the businesses of Marbella indifferent, which apply between the rejection and need to act given the situation that currently exists in terms of supplies, although without supporting 100% of the package, as well as the lack of knowledge of the way in which they should act in many cases.

“Put me in the boat” The owner of a decoration shop in the old part of the city has declared that she has preferred to remain anonymous, implying that she is not going to comply with the energy saving measures. One of the reasons is the business closing timewhich during the summer season remains open until 11:00 p.m.

“It’s ridiculous and has no scientific basis“, the businesswoman has lamented in relation to the measures approved by the Government just during the summer “when we can work”, since “in winter it closes at 6:00 p.m.”. In this way, she has valued that keep shop windows off after 10:00 p.m. It is “nonsense” because “people will not enter if they do not see” it. As for the obligation to keep the air conditioning up to 27 degrees, he has indicated that he uses refrigeration at that temperature out of “common sense”.

From the Passion fashion store, also located in the historic center, they have pointed out that the energy saving plan is “horrible” and more apply it at this time of year, when many shops “stay open until after 00:00 hours”.

In his particular case, he has indicated that the blackout of the shop window at 10:00 p.m. will not affect him, since it is The store closes at 9:30 p.m.although he has questioned how to “light his store” as it is small in size and the shop window luminaires are part of the electrical assembly.

Regarding the impact on sales, he pointed out that people “will not buy blindly” in those shops that remain open after 10:00 p.m. Regarding the regulation of the temperature with a maximum of 27 degrees in the air conditioners, he has highlighted that as it is “whopping”, with 27 degrees it is “perfect”, but that “the public is not like that”. Elena is the clerk of another fashion store in the old town of Marbella.

“It is very strong to be told what you have to do with your business”, he opined, pointing out that turning off the store windows will have an impact on sales by ensuring that customers” like to have things well placed, placed and lit.

Thus, he has valued the package of energy saving measures as something ” illogical and absurd” against the expenses assumed by the companies, while criticizing the price of electricity. “Those who lack lights is themthat they don’t have any”, exclaimed the young woman, who has assured that she will not comply with the measure.

María José Ramos works as a clerk in the UGG fashion store, located in the luxurious Puerto Banús, who considers the energy saving package as “horrible”, and that the obligation to put the air conditioning at a maximum of 27 degrees would harm the business, since the public wants to buy in “a nice place”. On the other hand, he has pointed out that turning off the shop window at 10:00 p.m. will affect mainly during the winter because “it is not visible at night”.

Other establishments approach the new measures in a less divergent way, although they are not without their effects, as is the case of the ‘Nevada & Capricho’ shoe store, located on Ricardo Soriano avenue, and which this very Wednesday has installed an “alarm” in because “the center is dark”, as stated by Alejandro Moreno, dependent on the store.

According to what he has assessed, turning off the shop window at 10:00 p.m. will not affect the sales of the business, since has a “fixed clientele” and until now they had established a system that “jumped at 11:00 p.m.” and now they will delay an hour. On the contrary, he has opined that air conditioning can have a negative influence because “the air is noticeable” and “Being at 37 degrees in the street, little difference is noticeable.”

Ana Ortiz runs the Ana Ortiz ceramic atelier store, located in the old town, a business that will not be affected by the shop window blackout at 10:00 p.m., since it coincides with the closing time, although he has assessed that it is “absurd if you are working” to turn off the lights. the merchant agreed that “measures must be taken and each one put their grain of sand”, so it will turn off its window at 10:00 p.m., but it has highlighted that “I would put at most 25 degrees” regarding the air conditioning of the establishments.

Inma Vargas works as a shop assistant at the Flora Mogador jewelry and accessories store, in the historic center of the city. In her opinion, the measures approved by the Government they will not affect the trade because it closes at 10:00 p.m., noting that it will affect people who “close later”. On the other hand, he has pointed out that maintaining “the air conditioning at 27 degrees is very hot”.

Of the same opinion is Francisco Ruz, owner of Ruz jewelry, who has added before the new regulations that “We will have to adapt“, assuring that it will not affect your business because “it closes at 9:30 p.m., and at the latest at 10:00 p.m.” On the 27 degrees decreed to regulate the temperature of the establishments, he has indicated that will depend on the “set-up” of the air conditioners to have to keep the premises refrigerated.

The owner of the Jackie Jean Obsesión shoe store, in Puerto Banús, Nabil Habib, has been in favor of the package of measures adopted by the Government, stressing that he supports everything that goes “in favor of the general interest”. In this way, indicated that previously I already turned off the window at 10:00 p.m. together with the closing of the establishmenthas assured.