Pas de la Casa Businesses Face 70% Turnover Drop from French Road Closure

Business owners in Pas de la Casa report turnover drops of up to 70% due to the ongoing closure of France's RN-20 road, with day-trippers from across the border staying away during peak winter season.

The shutdown, caused by a landslide on the French side, has hit retail and restaurants hardest, according to sector representatives who spoke Thursday at an extraordinary meeting of the Pas de la Casa Economic and Social Council. Gerard Pifarré, a commercial sector delegate, said daily clients have vanished, leaving businesses that rely on short-stay French visitors facing "very significant and worrying" losses around 70%. He highlighted tougher border controls as an added barrier, with drivers arriving via longer detours—up to two hours extra—facing stricter checks that discourage larger purchases.

Encamp's major councilor, Laura Mas, acknowledged uneven impacts, noting hotels, tourist apartments and ski slopes remain largely unaffected while shops suffer. The comú is gathering data for targeted aid, including potential rebates on hygiene fees, terraces or other local taxes, similar to measures in 2019 or during the pandemic. She stressed decisions would depend on the disruption's scale and duration.

Head of Government Xavier Espot called for "surgical" support tailored to sectors, especially day-visit commerce. The government is considering IGI payment deferrals, temporary CASS contribution exemptions or soft loans, but wants clearer timelines before finalizing. Economic and Social Council president Josep Maria Mas said aid options would emerge once the closure's end date is known, aiming for consensus.

The Ariège prefect had earlier confirmed the extension, leaving merchants in the village's lower areas—popular with day-trippers—bracing for worse. Óscar Ramon, head of the Neighbours and Merchants Association, said effects are already severe without a firm reopening schedule; his group urged immediate repair works at the meeting. Raül Calvo of the Tobacco Traders Union (UCAT) described the resort as "completely isolated" amid high season uncertainty. Àlex Ruiz of the Tourist Apartments Association reported minimal hit so far—just one cancellation—with long-stay guests tolerant of reroutes, though a March extension could prove disastrous.

Transport firms Andbus and Viatges Regina are managing reroutes case-by-case. CEO Dani Vinseiro expects to salvage 3,000 tour-group arrivals via Barcelona despite extra costs, while 1,600 private bookings face Toulouse detours, Barcelona switches or cancellations. He remained optimistic ahead of the busiest week from 23 February.