Semi-secret conclave want public money for their businesses

  • Printer friendly view
 Monday, September 7, 2020 - 09:39

The ARMANDO LAGRANDE Column

In a semi-secret conclave, some Main Street businesses have come up with a revitalisation plan, seeking tax-payers money to improve their premises. Main Street has always been a money-spinner, so people wonder where have all their profits of yesteryears gone? Now, the problem is the pandemic and nothing else. If the pandemic ceased to exist tomorrow, the missing ‘millions’ would return. 

It is not only Main Street that is experiencing the downtrend in business, said a trader. What about the rest of us?

Another person added: When business was good in Main Street but not elsewhere, why were the ‘others’ not helped?

Some people say that at times it appears the Government coffers are not as full as they would be, given the problems arising from the pandemic. But those who want to improve their premises, are seeking at least £2 million of tax-payers money.

Clearly, this is not money well spent because the problem is not improving the way businesses look, because the customers are not there, it is because of Covid. When that changes, the customers will return, so, as some people say, why spend public funds when the problem is to do with the pandemic?

And the pandemic is affecting life, not only in Gibraltar, but everywhere else.

I have a feeling that in Gibraltar, when things go bad, there is a tendency to blame what does not need blaming - even when the Government gets the stick unnecessarily!

If some people want to know what is happening elsewhere in the world they should open their eyes, because from nearby Spain to all over, spending is down and problems are up. Why do we think that such problems are in Gibraltar only?

Not only that, the unions can be upset because they would like to see their members get improved salaries - but they don’t, and when they shout about it, there are those who criticise them!

But there you are, everyone wants more - so why should public money be spent where they would be the first to see improvements in business as soon as the pandemic turns for the better?

£2 million of tax-payers money at this point in time? The Government should think again. At least, that is what quite a number of people are saying. Just open your eyes and wash your ears and listen to what the general public is saying.

No one can possibly like the pandemic and the effects emanating from it. But let’s make sure that public money is not spent on services which have nothing to do with the Government.

07-09-2020 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR