TERNI – The lights go out on 75 years of history of Terni. On one of the commercial activities present in the area for over half a century. Visaggio 1948, the men’s clothing store founded by Antonio Visaggio 75 years ago, is closing. One of the most important spaces on Corso del Popolo. And it closes at a time when, in Terni, the echo of the crisis that has depopulated the city center even reaches the shopping centres. Terranova closes in Corso Tacito and Conbipel disappears from Pianeta Cospea.
In the space of a few weeks, 400 square meters of sales space are emptied in the shopping street par excellence, Corso Tacito, and ten workers who have guaranteed a service in Via Montefiorino for thirty years are sent home. In the middle there is the closure of Visaggio. All shop windows that will remain dark. Terranova has communicated the cancellation of the rental contract, therefore there will be no illuminated signs from the Galleria del Corso to Palazzo Leoni Montani. The premises of Visaggio 1948, for the moment, will remain empty. The city is almost in darkness. The workers – 21 in all – will probably not be able to find new jobs.
The two large chains leaving the city are worrying. The position of Pd and Innovare per Terni: «Just yesterday we joined the mobilization of Conbipel workers for the decision taken by the company to leave Terni. Today – they say – we unfortunately have to take note of an identical decision taken by another brand in the same sector, namely Terranova. We are close to the male and female workers as well as the trade unions affected by this new dramatic choice. In particular, we share the work and request of Filcams Cgil, should the transfer to other premises take place, the commitment to reabsorb the affected workers. Terranova’s choice to close the store to date was motivated by the decline in sales and turnover recorded for at least a couple of years. As with Conbipel, we support the initiatives of workers and trade unions. The trade sector – conclude the two council groups – is experiencing an absolutely critical moment in Terni. We intend to do our part in the city council, both for the Conbipel dispute and for the Terranova dispute, through actions and discussions, albeit from minority forces.”
