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New Life for Traditional Portuguese Markets
2 September 2017
The old, traditional markets are gaining a bit of a new lease on life throughout Portugal. The latest is the historic Beira-Rio Municipal Market, on the edge of Vila Nova de Gaia.
With its inauguration scheduled for September 13 after intensive renovations, the market will open its doors with a concept that will combine modern gastronomy with the traditional sale of fresh produce.
Fachada Oceânica; a company made up of the construction company Lucios, a specialist in urban rehabilitation, and Legível Puzzle, whose partners are PEV Entertainment, a promoter of cultural events such as the Festival Marés Vivas, and Jocalu Higiene Industrial, will manage the redeveloped market. The Municipal Council of Vila Nova de Gaia granted the joint venture a 30-year concession to manage the property.
In total, the revitalised site has an area of more than 1,000 square meters, with 47 retail spaces, of which 36 are shops, and 11 are traditional stalls. The project will generate nearly 100 new jobs and an expected turnover of around 3.5 million euros.
The old tenants will be joined well-known names from the area. The gastronomic shops will have a variety of items for sale, including Portuguese snacks, sushi, suckling pig, burgers, cod, vegetarian food, AOC cheeses and sausages, and wines and sweets.
The Beira-Rio Market will also aim to provide a new area for holding cultural events such as live music, art exhibitions, poetry recitals and seasonal events, all open to the city’s inhabitants. The venue will have 178 indoor seats and 344 seats on an outdoor terrace and will be open for extended hours throughout the year.
Original Story: Diário Imobiliário
Translation: Richard Turner