New Salobreña bus to health centre. Credit: Ayuntamiento de Salobreña

Expats living in La Cala del Moral face major disruption as plans emerge to shut the local post office at the end of June. Many British residents rely on this branch for essential services, including pension payments, parcel deliveries and official correspondence. Mayor Francisco Salado has written directly to Correos executives urging them to reverse the unilateral decision that leaves thousands of locals and seasonal visitors without convenient access.

Strong local opposition grows

Francisco Salado expressed deep surprise and regret in a formal letter sent today to Pedro Saura García, executive president of Correos. The mayor described the move as causing serious harm to residents across Rincon de la Victoria, with particular impact on the 16,644 people registered in La Cala del Moral. This coastal area doubles in population during summer months when visitor numbers push the municipal total beyond 100,000.

Rincon de la Victoria currently holds more than 53,000 registered inhabitants and features four main population centres. Only one other post office serves the entire area, located on Calle Poeta Manuel Alcantara. Previous summers saw this branch limit afternoon openings, forcing everyone into morning queues during peak holiday periods.

Potential overload raises concerns

Salado questioned whether the remaining facility can handle the extra demand. Staff at the La Cala branch also face uncertainty from the sudden closure notice received on June 15. The communication included plans to end the lease for the premises in Pasaje Calafate with Avenida Jabega.

Local leaders plan to submit an urgent motion at this month’s council meeting. They hope all local political parties will back the proposal to make it institutional. Salado intends to copy the Spanish finance minister Arcadi España García since Correos falls under state government oversight.

Call for urgent dialogue

Residents value decades of service provided by the La Cala office in its various locations. The mayor stressed that proper consultation should have taken place before any announcement. He requested an immediate meeting with Correos representatives to explore alternatives.

This situation appears part of wider changes affecting other towns. Expats and full-time residents worry about reduced public services in growing coastal communities. Many send letters and packages regularly, while others depend on reliable access for banking and administrative tasks common among foreign nationals in Spain.

Community impact and next steps

Salado emphasised defence of public services in his message. Local voices continue pressing for reconsideration before the June 30 deadline to protect daily routines for everyone in the town.

The developer, Convovi, has backed an agreement to build 140 cooperative homes in Torrox. This plan brings forward fresh options for affordable housing through direct owner participation in a coastal Andalucian location. And the best of all is that they will be sold at cost price.

Spectacular location near the sea

Developers will build the project on land in Sector URP 12, situated just 300 metres from the beach in one of Torrox’s key urban expansion zones. Total investment will reach approximately €38 million. The scheme combines protected and open-market homes under a single cooperative framework.

Homes built at cost price

Participants in this Torrox promotion will access properties at cost price through full cooperative ownership. This approach removes typical market intermediaries and lets future residents shape their own homes from the start, deciding on key elements of the construction and decoration rather than the construction company. Around 40 per cent of the 140 units will feature some form of protection against future property speculation, while the remainder counts as general housing. Every dwelling follows cooperative principles focused on social economy and self-promotion.

Future potential buyers can join the cooperative immediately after the land deal closes. Early involvement allows them to influence design choices and specifications according to personal needs. Decision-making proceeds through transparent, collective processes that keep people at the heart of development.

Specialist resources from developer

Convovi will supply dedicated websites to support members throughout the project. Tools include Cooperopen, Cooperalquila, OIKO and Serficoop, all linked to the organisation’s Housing and Land Demand Register. These systems help channel interest, provide technical guidance and arrange financial backing across every stage. Open-book working groups will further improve transparency and enable close monitoring of progress.

Focus on nationwide affordable solutions

This Torrox scheme forms part of a wider drive to expand cooperative housing options across Spain. Organisers view cooperative models as practical responses to the ongoing challenges many families face in securing suitable accommodation. By placing control with residents, such projects deliver homes that match real requirements at more accessible prices.

Interest in the initiative remains huge as the developer continues to promote similar projects in other regions.