The developer Construcciones Eliseo Pla Ramírez (CEP) has begun asbestos removal operations on the 32 buildings that make up the old Ferry's industrial complex in Canals. This process is the step prior to the factory's demolition, which will lead to the creation of a new commercial park in this town in La Costera region.
The mayor of Canals, Nacho Mira, has confirmed that the asbestos removal is already underway. Once this phase is completed, the demolition of the buildings will begin, marking the first visible action on a site with a rich industrial history. The Ferry's factory, founded in 1928, was a benchmark in the knitwear industry, employing over 1,700 workers in the 1980s. Its closure in 2007 left a complex of over 35,000 square meters that had deteriorated over time.
The local council maintains continuous contact with the Urban Planning Department to expedite administrative procedures. The goal is that, after asbestos removal and demolition, the urbanization works for the future commercial park can begin. The mayor is confident that the development will proceed rapidly, with the expectation that a significant portion of the works will be completed this year and the project will culminate between late 2026 and early 2027.
The new commercial park will initially include a supermarket, a gym from a well-known national chain, and a restaurant establishment, in addition to other commercial spaces yet to be defined. It will also feature approximately 600 parking spaces, complementing another supermarket under construction on the adjacent plot.
The council views the project as a significant boost for the local economy, creating employment and attracting visitors. The mayor emphasizes that the influx of people from other municipalities will also invigorate Canals' hospitality and retail sectors. As a reminder of its industrial past, the developer will hand over a rehabilitated building to the town hall, which is considering converting it into a museum to preserve the memory of Ferry's.
