Pas de la Casa Merchants Report Normal Activity After RN-20 Reopening, No Sales Recovery

Merchants in Pas de la Casa reported a calm first full weekend after the RN-20 road to France reopened, with activity returning to normal levels for the season despite poor weather, but no significant recovery in sales to offset winter losses.

Shopkeepers noted higher footfall and vehicle traffic as anticipated, boosted by festivals including Snowrow and Maricongelada following the March 14 Constitution Day holiday. However, small outlets—particularly those in the lower town not selling alcohol or tobacco—saw no notable sales increase. Sunday proved especially weak due to heavy snow and rain, which reduced visitors, while weekdays aligned more closely with last year's figures.

Raúl Calvo, president of the Unió de Comerciants de Tabac (UCAT), described sales as normalizing steadily from the reopening day, calling the week "more or less a normal March." Josep Maria Mas, from the Pas de la Casa Economic and Social Council (CES) and Chamber of Commerce president, agreed the reopening brought a clear uptick maintained through the week, though he cautioned the weekend was not representative due to weather. Òscar Ramon, president of the Neighbourhood and Merchants Association, called the weekend "a bit stagnant" from the bad conditions but said midweek work was solid.

All agreed the reactivation would not compensate for accumulated losses from the latest closure—plus prior disruptions from French farmers' protests and weather. "We won't compensate for this all year," Ramon said, unless exceptional circumstances arise. Calvo added it would be "difficult" to make up the winter shortfalls.

Criticism persisted over aid measures favoring larger firms. Merchants with sales drops below 25% remain ineligible for electricity bill reductions or CASS subsidies despite real impacts.

This Wednesday afternoon, the CES will meet to analyze losses, the current situation, and propose actions like fuel promotions or communication campaigns to boost visitors. Gerard Pifarré, a CES merchants' representative, described the mood as "contained joy," with activity resuming but not fully taking off as hoped. Uncertainty lingers over Andorra Turisme's campaign rollout and future roadworks schedules.