Economy

Porto local trade already granted circa 117 thousand euros in sales discounts

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Filipa Brito

Buy 20 euros and get an immediate 2-euro discount. The municipal programme to boost the business activities in Porto already granted circa 117 thousand euros discounts in local and traditional trade in the city. This measure provides for a 2-euro discount for each 20-euro buy in local stores that have adhered to the municipal support programme. The measure is in place until 30 July.

The support programme consists of the cash discount clearing to accessing shops, restaurants, cafeterias, barber shops, hairdressers, beauticians, and wellness activities, and it is valid exclusively, in commercial establishments with an outdoor entrance and not larger than 250m2. The measure is entirely supported by Porto City Hall.

Vouchers are delivered to traders and establishments by the City Hall, who will then be reimbursed upon presentation of copies of invoices. Participant establishments are identified by the label set up in the window display. Applications can be submitted until 30th July

One-hour free parking while shopping at local trade

Those who choose to buy at local shops in Porto will be able to enjoy free parking in the municipal parking lots for one hour. The proposal was approved by the Municipal Executive of Porto City Hall on 31 May and the main goal is to support local traders that have been hard hit by the ongoing pandemic.

This exemption of parking fee payment in municipal parking lots will be in place until 31 August. The goal is to provide local traders with 25 thousand parking tickets that will be given to customers in Porto downtown, so that they can be used in the municipal parking lots of Trindade, Silo Auto, Duque de Loulé and the Park in Alfândega.

This is a two way beneficial measure for both commercial establishments and a boost to the mobility in the city, as often times, people park their cars in prohibited places.

Private car parks in Porto also offer one hour free parking to traditional trade customers. The Parking lots of Praça D. João I, Carlos Alberto, Praça de Lisboa, Infante D. Henrique, Gomes Teixeira, Palácio da Justiça and the Praça Adelino Amaro da Costa associated with the initiative by Porto City Hall that aims to boost traditional trade in the Invicta during the easing of lockdown.

Traders can still join the municipal support programme

The programme kicked off on 3 May and traders who wish to have access to this range of local support measures can apply until the end of July.

Accession to the programme is done via an appropriate application form – available at the Citizen Portal, aka, Portal do Munícipe or in-person at the Gabinete do Munícipe, upon previous appointment via the Linha Porto. 220 100 220, or by sending an email to comercio@cm-porto.pt, indicating “Adesão ao Programa de incentivo à atividade comercial” in the subject line.

Alongside the form, shopkeepers shall indicate the commercial certificate and the IBAN. Also, businesses must have zero income tax liabilities and no debts to Social Security.

All information is available at comercio@turismo.cm-porto.pt, via email or calling 222 097 106.