Fuengirola's Mercacentro rebuild running late again, with completion now pencilled in for first half of 2027

The long-delayed rebuild of Fuengirola's Mercacentro municipal market is heading for roughly double its original timetable, Diario Sur reported on 7 November. The town hall (ayuntamiento) now says the work should finish in the first half of 2027.

A timeline that keeps slipping

According to Diario Sur, work began on 22 January 2024 with an 18-month schedule, which pointed to completion in July 2025. Technical problems forced a change to the project and a temporary halt. The budget rose from €12.98 million to €14 million, largely because the basement slab meant to carry the new building was not as expected, and there was a risk it could not support it.

Work resumed in April 2025 under a new plan of 549 days. Added to the time already used before the suspension, the total came to 999 days, with a deadline of 1 October 2026. Diario Sur says that date has also been missed.

New technical modification

The paper cites a document signed on 26 October by the municipal architect, which says the town hall is processing a new "technical modification" of the project. It cites "improvements to materials and installations" without giving further detail, and says the decision followed a meeting with the technical management of the UTE, the joint venture of firms carrying out the work. The architect states that it involves no budget increase but does bring a new schedule for completing the works.

Municipal sources told Diario Sur there had been structural problems, supply difficulties with materials and, above all, problems with the companies in the UTE. They said these have been resolved and that the stallholders, who are directly affected by the delay, have been informed. The town hall also said the work has been showing a "marked improvement" for several weeks.

Opposition criticism

Diario Sur reports that site monitoring records show warnings of delays earlier this year: in May, that deadlines were not being met and resources were lacking, and on 21 August an updated schedule was requested. Structural problems later forced another stoppage, with an agreement to restart on 23 September.

The opposition group Hacemos Fuengirola has asked the town hall to explain what measures were taken and why the deadline was missed. Its spokesman, José Miguel López España, was quoted by Diario Sur as saying: "Mercacentro no puede convertirse en una obra sin fecha" (Mercacentro cannot become a project with no end date), adding that traders, residents and users need to know when the market will return.

What the building will offer

Per Diario Sur, the new building will have more than 11,000 square metres over several floors. The ground floor will hold the traditional market with 39 stalls, the first floor will have dining space and a business incubator, and the top floor a terrace. There will also be underground parking and a loading and unloading area. Much of the structure uses cross-laminated timber (CLT), chosen to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.