Benidorm's aid to support the creation of companies and freelancers workers reaches 93,200 euros and one hundred beneficiaries

The latest call for aid from Benidorm City Council to support the creation of new companies and self-employed workers has reached 93,200 euros and one hundred beneficiaries, according to the data provided by the Councilor for Employment and Local Development, Mónica Gómez.

Gómez has detailed that these grants have been aimed at self-employed workers with a tax domicile in Benidorm who registered between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023, registered in the municipality of Benidorm or who, although they were not registered in the city, had requested a license to open premises located in the municipality.

With the call, 131 applications were received, of which hundreds - just over 76% - were resolved favourably. Of the 100 grants approved, 36 correspond to entrepreneurs registered in Benidorm who have requested an opening license, with each beneficiary receiving 1,200 euros for a total of 42,000 euros. Another 55 grants have been for registered freelancers who have not required a business license to start their activity. This group has received an individual grant of 800 euros, reaching an amount of 44,000 euros. The remaining 9 grants have also been 800 euros, awarded to non-registered entrepreneurs who have requested a license, resulting in a final amount of 7,200 euros.

The councillor explained that “beyond the distribution and justification of these grants, the Employment and Local Promotion Agency has carried out a detailed study on the type of companies and professionals who have benefited from this call, the profile of the self-employed or the location of these new activities”. A study referring to the 2023 call “from which conclusions can be drawn that help us to better understand and understand the entrepreneurship scenario in Benidorm and its economic dynamics”.

By economic activity, the hospitality sector stands out, with 21 grants; followed by ‘other services’ –with a special presence of hairdressers-; wholesale and retail trade; construction; administrative activities and auxiliary services; professional and scientific activities; artistic, recreational and entertainment activities, and information and communications; transport and storage; and, finally, manufacturing industries, real estate activities, education and health and social services activities.

Gómez pointed out that “the analysis of all the data collected and its representation on the map of Benidorm shows that new companies are not being created in a specific area, but throughout the city, with practically the same dynamism occurring in the four census districts into which the municipality is divided”.

“In each of these districts there are predominant economic sectors, although the hospitality sector stands out in all of them, confirming the importance of tourism in the economy of Benidorm and its influence on the creation of companies, since 21% of the entrepreneurs who benefit are part of this group,” he said.
Also notable is the role of the ‘Other services’ sector throughout the city, particularly that of personal services such as hairdressing or beauty; an activity that, given these results, presents a “growing demand.”

Likewise, “the construction and commerce sectors also have a significant representation in all districts up to 24% of the total number of entrepreneurs.” Finally, “the presence of entrepreneurs in administrative services may suggest that there is a relatively mature business ecosystem that requires business support services.”

To summarise, in the city centre the hospitality and ‘other services’ sectors stand out; while in Levante the new businesses are linked to commerce. In Colonia Madrid, Els Tolls and the area around Avenida Comunidad Valenciana, the hospitality industry and other services are on par, with artistic activities also standing out. Finally, in Poniente, the hospitality sector is the most popular.

As for the profile of entrepreneurs who benefit from the aid, more than half are people between 30 and 45 years old, with practically equal numbers of men and women.

Finally, the councillor recalled that these direct aids for the creation of new companies and self-employed workers “constitute one of the lines of support for new business initiatives developed by the Employment and Local Promotion Agency, which also provides a constant advisory service to people who decide to take this step”. In addition, the City Council “offers a coworking space to entrepreneurs so that they can start their activity”.