After nearly 28 years, the Sant'Elia Civic Market is closing. Inaugurated on December 14, 1997, it had been struggling for years with only three remaining operators . The official decision was made today by the City Council, with a resolution establishing the permanent closure of operations. "This decision represents a fundamental step in careful strategic planning aimed at ensuring the efficient use of public resources and protecting the interests of the community," explains the City of Cagliari. It will not be abandoned: the facility's future will be a charitable emporium.
The Municipal Administration, through an in-depth technical and economic analysis, highlighted that the Sant'Elia Market structure had become unsustainable from a management and financial perspective. It entails a total annual cost to the Municipality of approximately €314,000, with an average cost per concessionaire of approximately €103,000 , largely deriving from electricity costs, cleaning of the 1,700 square meters of covered area, and maintenance costs. Meanwhile, the three remaining operators pay concession fees amounting to €4,650 per year, covering 1.48% of total expenses. These estimates demonstrate the facility's decline in its functionality, which is no longer able to guarantee an efficient and qualified public service.
Carlo Serra, Councilor for Economic Development and Productive Sectors, stated: "Making decisions of this magnitude is never easy, but it is our duty to act responsibly and with respect for public resources. The closure of the Sant'Elia Market, while painful, is made out of respect for the operators involved, with whom we have maintained ongoing dialogue and discussions, and who are guaranteed the opportunity to continue their activities in other markets ."
"Furthermore, it represents a necessary step to protect businesses and initiate a comprehensive reorganization plan for the city's markets," the councilor continued. "At this stage, we are evaluating concrete and differentiated solutions for each facility , with the aim of enhancing the potential of each sector and fostering the city's economic growth."
(Unioneonline)