Murcia plans revival of local kiosks as just 21 remain open
The city wants to breathe new life into these once-thriving neighbourhood hubs with a modernised model
Once a familiar sight on the streets and squares of Murcia, local kiosks are now becoming a rarity. According to new figures from the City Council, just 21 are still in operation out of a total of 39 across the municipality.
In fact, 49 of Murcia’s 55 districts have never had a kiosk at all, a statistic the council says highlights the need to rethink and redistribute these small but valuable public service points.
The Department of Young Talent and Public Spaces has now completed a full report based on updates from local municipal boards. It’s part of a broader project to relaunch kiosks with a new management model that’s better adapted to the needs of each neighbourhood.
A series of meetings is due to start in September, bringing together council representatives, local associations and residents to gather ideas and proposals. The aim is to create a modern set of specifications that reflect the real needs of each area and help make better use of public spaces.
As well as updating the format and function of kiosks, the council hopes the project will generate new job opportunities and help bring a sense of community back to the streets.
A spokesperson from the City Council said: “The process of modernising the municipality’s kiosks continues to advance steadily.”
The new plan hopes to transform the traditional newspaper stand into something much more relevant and sustainable, whether that’s offering different kinds of goods and services, creating spaces for community activity or simply making better use of underused corners of the city.
For many residents, the return of kiosks could bring back more than just convenience. These small stands once served as neighbourhood meeting points - and with the right support, they could be again.
Image: Daniel Robert/Unsplash
Address
Paraje El Espinar, Fuente Alamo Murcia, Mobile: +34 676 39 44 31
Mountain View Kennels, Dog kennels and cattery offering short and long-term stays near Fuente Álamo. Nucleus Zoological Licence Holders ES300210440037. Dog training grooming services and a private pet villa.
Open for business as usual. Training advice, classes, grooming services still given. Collection and delivery service available.
Do you need your dog exercised? Large exercise paddock complete with pick up and drop off if required.
Mountain View Kennels is an established family-run business in the countryside just outside Fuente Álamo, and is a fully Registered Zoological Nucleus kennels and cattery for pets operating in the south-west of Murcia since 2005.
In addition, owner Gill Lovegrove 
is a specialist dog trainer and behaviourist, and offers her services either on the premises or through home visits to all owners of troublesome pets.
The key to the success of Mountain View Kennels is that each boarder is viewed as another family pet in the extensive grounds and pens: dogs are not only housed and fed, they are also walked, and offered cuddles, toys and the chance to play. During the day they are free to roam around the eight main play areas equipped with trees, tunnels, toys and shelters, but they always have the option of returning to their own large play area or kennel.
In total there are 20 individual kennels, all fully tiled and with large runs, and each is spacious enough for four large dogs (or a family group) if required although they are also available to individual pets: dogs belonging to different owners are not housed together.
At the disposal of cats are eight individual catteries offering upstairs and downstairs accommodation and outside runs.
The food they are given is all of high quality, but special dietary needs can also be catered for and Mountain View are happy to administer any medication which might be needed. It is essential for all pets to be fully vaccinated on arrival at the clinic (as well as wormed and protected against fleas), and vaccination records are kept on the premises during the pets’ stay, not only in case there is an inspection but also in case the need for veterinary treatment arises (two local vets in Fuente Álamo are on 24—hour call).
In order to make life as easy as possible for owners as they plan a trip away, the Mountain View Kennels and Cattery is only 10 minutes from Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera.
Gill and the rest of the staff are very knowledgeable about all breeds of dog, and work tirelessly with local charities and animal foundations to help treat, care for and re-house lost and abandoned dogs. This caring attitude is one of the reasons for prices being kept as competitive as possible, including as they do two meals a day and not specifying any minimum or maximum length of stay.
Training services are also offered. Put all of these ingredients together, along with the reassurance given by the fully legal and licensed status of the company, and the result is a successful business which is built on reputation and customers who repeat year after year, fully satisfied with the complete, professional and caring service provided. Testimony to this is that the boarders at the kennels are not only from the area close to Fuente Álamo but also from places such as Alhama, Librilla, Caravaca de la Cruz, Mula, Bullas and La Azohía!
