The current economic crisis is having an effect on all the commercial sectors in Menorca, whether directly linked to tourism or not, and the fact of being an island adds to the problems when importing or exporting products or basic materials.
Shoe industry
The Menorcan shoe manufacturers are having a hard time, not only due to strong competition from the Spanish mainland and other countries but also because the industry needs labourers with specialised skills and depends on the transport sector for bringing in raw material and sending out finished products. The sector complains that sending goods to Barcelona costs the same as posting them to Hong Kong and that, although it wants to lower costs in order to be more competitive, it is difficult to find labour as most people are employed in the services sector.
Construction
Almost everybody involved in construction agrees that the current situation is one of the most difficult they have ever experienced.
The shortage of work, uncertainty and low wages have resulted in a drastic drop in the sale of property. While there is building land available, there are no clients; people being unwilling to invest in property.
Fashion jewellery
The Menorcan fashion jewellery industry is another sector that needs to penetrate other markets and is hampered by the cost of transport when exporting products. The sector also feels that more training is needed to increase productivity and lower costs. There are also complaints that, although the sector receives aid from the Government, it takes a long time to materialise and is now urgently needed.
Catering
The catering sector is especially critical of the current situation, having seen the season shorten, tourist numbers fall and many establishments close over recent years, and lays much of the blame on the politicians and their lack of desire to change things.
There is also criticism about the restrictions imposed on the sector with new ideas and projects being turned down by the authorities.
Leisure
One of the most common complaints heard on the island is the lack of leisure activities and places to go; an example being the port of Maó where many late night bars and shops have had to close in the last few years.
Excessive official paperwork has been criticised and the sector is calling for state legislation to make it easier to employ staff.
The shortage of money is making people think twice about going out and the consequent lack of customers is leading to outlets cutting back on entertainment, creating a vicious circle.
Shops
The commercial sector criticises the local councils for not doing enough to attract shoppers to outlets in the towns, and calls for good pavements and streetlights, car parking facilities, and an improved appearance, whilst the shops themselves need to be modernised and more efficient and competitive.
The Balearic Government's recently approved Commerce Law has been criticised for being too restrictive and the moratorium on opening shops on the industrial estates for hindering those who wish to expand their businesses.
Breathing new life into the Port of Maó
The image of the port of Maó as a bustling place full of interest and life has given way to the sad spectacle of shops and restaurants that are temporarily or permanently closed, properties that are for sale or rent and a marked lack of passers-by.
A survey carried out by Elena Delgado, a journalist on the "Menorca", showed that there are eleven houses or flats for rent and sixteen displaying 'for sale' signs; while there are nine shops available for rent and seven for sale. Ten businesses have closed. Added to this are a number of properties that have been abandoned and allowed to fall into disrepair.
Although there are some thirty shops, restaurants and other businesses currently open, around twenty have had to close for the winter, some as early as September.
The president of the port's commercial association, Federico Cardona, insists that the group is making a huge effort to improve the situation and that ideas being mooted will help to restore life to the area. As an example he cites the lift being built near the Club Marítimo which will make it easier for people to go down to the port. Other plans are to widen the pavements between the Club and the Costa Corea and stage more activities during the summer months. He also points out that there is now more car parking which is vital to the port's wellbeing.
In Cardona's opinion, the state of the port is due to the crisis and the fact that there were too many bars and restaurants, making it hard for them to survive.