Teguise residents warn historic town centre is becoming a “ghost town”

A residents’ association has complained about the gentrification of La Villa de Teguise, claiming that the centre of the historical town is becoming a “ghost town”.

La Voz de Lanzarote has reported claims by the Chimida de Teguise association, which says that only around ten people actually live in central areas of the town such as the Plaza Clavijo y Fajardo and Plaza Maciot de Bethencour.

It blames the depopulation of the town on high property prices, and claims that many traditional properties have been purchased by “wealthy foreign buyers” who converted them into shops or other commercial properties.

The association also blames the council’s planning office for long delays in granting restoration licences, which means that many properties are becoming dilapidated.

Francisco Parilla of the Chimida association said “From Mondays onwards you see hardly anyone in the streets. The town is very beautiful, but it looks ghostly.  It would be a shame if residents abandon our town and leave it as a shopping centre”.