"It's a social drama. Not just an economic one. And those who govern us will only understand it when it's perhaps too late." Roberto Bolognese , regional president of Confesercenti , does not hide his frustration in renewing for the umpteenth time the appeal for the salvation of the small shops still open in towns and cities of Sardinia. "At stake are essential services for citizens , but also the survival of hundreds of thousands of jobs."

In the last 15 years, the Island has lost over five thousand shops and the crisis seems so irreversible that currently for every new opening there are on average 3.5 shutters closed forever . And we are certainly not talking about niche businesses such as shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, upholsterers, watchmakers or photographers. "We are losing bars, grocery stores, clothing stores, opticians and artisan workshops that still have enormous social value", continues Bolognese. "In the cities, but especially in the small towns that try to fight against depopulation every day. This is why if we don't reverse the trend, we will only have desert in our streets".

The issue of employment is also at the centre: «We must not forget that trade in Sardinia guarantees, despite the crisis, 18% of regional employment ».

Confesercenti points the finger at the administrators who would have the task of "directing the dynamics of commerce" , "with measures that support commercial activities", starting from discounts on rent to concessions on the Tari.

Further details and insights in the articles by Mascia, Marci, Pittalis and Cama in the newspaper on newsstands and on the app

© Riproduzione riservata