Leiria's storm-hit businesses demand faster aid after €1.3M losses
A powerful storm struck Praia da Vieira at the start of the year, leaving businesses in the Leiria region struggling to recover. Francisco Almeida Gomes, owner of the Cristal Hotels group, has now spoken out about the financial toll and slow government response. His losses alone are estimated at €1.3 million.
*Expresso* is reporting from Leiria, one of the worst-affected areas, as part of a special episode of *Economia Dia a Dia*. The programme highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local entrepreneurs months after the disaster.
Gomes described the storm’s impact as devastating for his hotels and other businesses in the area. He warned that some may never fully recover from the damage. The financial strain has been worsened by delays in public support.
In particular, he criticised the Portuguese Development Bank (*Banco de Fomento*) for its handling of recovery efforts. According to Gomes, the slow response has left many business owners without the help they urgently need. His comments come as *Expresso* investigates the broader economic fallout in Leiria, where tourism and local trade have suffered heavily. The storm hit in early January, causing widespread destruction along the coast. While some repairs have begun, Gomes and others argue that the pace of assistance remains far too slow. Without faster intervention, they fear long-term consequences for the region’s economy.
The financial damage in Leiria is now estimated in the millions, with Gomes’s losses alone reaching €1.3 million. His criticism of the recovery process highlights the struggles of businesses still waiting for aid. The situation remains critical for many as they try to rebuild months after the storm.
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