Two restaurants in Valencia's Marina area, Dos Lunas and Destino Puerto, will be repurposed to expand the 'La mare que va' hospitality school for people with disabilities, managed by Asindown. This decision, announced by Valencia's mayor, MarĂa JosĂ© Catalá, aims to replace lower-quality nightlife establishments with social initiatives. The city also plans to put out tenders for two other restaurants, Vlue Arribar and Camarote, focusing on high-quality gastronomy and experiences.
The four affected businesses, which include Dos Lunas and Destino Puerto, dispute the city's decision. They have appealed the rejection of their requests for contract extensions, stating that they will remain open until a court order forces closure. They argue that a summer extension would benefit all parties, even allowing them to participate in any future tender process.
The city council seeks to improve the Marina area by replacing lower-quality nightlife with high-quality gastronomy, social initiatives, and improved infrastructure. The aim is to enhance the area's image, attract better-quality tourism, and reduce nighttime disturbances. This is evident in the decisions for the new ventures, which include collaboration with the Port Authority to avoid low-quality tourism.