GROCERY giant Carrefour has been left out of plans for the new port’s design after an application was unanimously rejected by port bosses.
The supermarket was due to be built in the Wharf 1 shopping centre.
But, in a huge snub to the food giant, Malaga’s mayor insist that the new centre should only be reserved for shops of the highest quality.
Wharf 1 is part of the ambitious regeneration of Malaga’s port area.
Over 70 per cent of commercial spaces have already been reserved, with such big-label names as Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Diesel and Hackett confirming their presence.
But the biggest space in the centre, which was reserved for Carrefour, is yet to be filled.
The shopping mall is due to open next year, coinciding with the launch of Malaga’s ultramodern deepwater ship port and paseo maritimo.
Last week workmen began to dismantle the century old iron fence that surrounds the port.
The removal sparked the end of over 20 years of discussion over the port’s renovation.
“It is a historical moment for the city,” said port authority boss Enrique Linde. “It begins an exciting new phrase for all of us.”
The Spanish business mentality is as baffling as the Schleswig-Holstein question.