Traders in Orihuela have expressed growing concern over delays in payments linked to the council’s Consumer Voucher scheme. The warning has come from ACMO, the Association of Traders of the Municipality of Orihuela, which says the local authority has yet to pay its share of the discounts offered during the campaign.

According to the association, the council owes participating businesses close to 400,000 euros, representing fifty per cent of the value of vouchers already redeemed by customers. Only a small number of shops have received any payment, while the majority are still waiting, despite having advanced the discounted amounts themselves.

ACMO has warned that the lack of liquidity is beginning to have serious consequences for small and medium-sized businesses. Traders say the delays are making it harder to meet everyday expenses such as insurance payments, buying raw materials and restocking goods, putting the stability of many local shops at risk.

Despite the current situation, the association has described the latest Consumer Voucher campaign as very positive. However, it has suggested bringing it forward to early December in future, arguing that many residents do their shopping before the Christmas period, which would make the scheme more effective.