Escaldes-Engordany Council Prioritises活力 Projects Over Bids for Church Square Spaces
The local council in Escaldes-Engordany is selecting tenants for prime spots near the historic church by their ability to animate the square through events and vitality, ensuring a minimum fee covers costs without profit focus.
Key Points
- Council awards 2 commercial spaces and 3 terraces in Plaça de l'Església based on revitalisation potential, not highest bids.
- Tender open until 3pm Oct 30; seeks food/drink businesses to host events and attract visitors.
- Minimum canon set by valuations; jury includes council and commerce reps for evaluation.
- Spaces for quick snacks or specialised dining; terraces at square's upper and lower ends.
Escaldes-Engordany's local council will prioritise proposals showing strong potential to energise Plaça de l'Església when awarding two commercial spaces and three terrace spots, rather than focusing on the highest bids.
Cònsol Major Rosa Gili explained to Andorra's news agency that the tender, open until 3pm on 30 October, seeks businesses ready to organise activities and events that attract visitors to this historic area next to the church. The council designed the process deliberately to avoid basing awards solely on price, aiming instead for projects that demonstrate enthusiasm to revitalise the square.
A minimum annual canon, determined by professional valuations, applies to all bids, but Gili emphasised this will not be the deciding factor. She noted that a high financial offer might not align with the council's preferred vision, as its focus is not on profit but on covering costs without giving spaces away. Once operational, the outlets should serve as meeting points—such as for aperitifs or snacks—and bring vitality to the zone themselves.
The two units are intended for food and drink establishments. The smaller one suits quicker, less elaborate options, while the larger accommodates more specialised dining. Bidders may apply for one, the other, or both, potentially combining fast-service and extended-stay concepts. The terraces include one at the square's upper end and two sections at the lower end. Specifications remain flexible to allow ideas beyond the council's initial concepts, keeping opportunities open for fresh proposals.
A jury of majority and minority council members, along with two Chamber of Commerce representatives, will evaluate submissions to ensure a shared decision with sector input.
The tender launched on 31 August. Gili reported informal interest from several parties, though formal applications remain to be seen. The council is considering additional measures to further activate the area, but these remain at an early stage with no firm details yet.
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