Grant helps refurbishment of La Tribuna on Costa del Sol Spain

THE La Tribuna building in Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmadena, which was originally built in the 18th century as a paper factory is to become a tourist information centre at a cost of €375,577.73.

Thanks to a grant of €279,707 from the Junta de Andalucia, the council will only need to find the balance of €95,870.73 for the work to commence.

It will be an important tourist site as it will not only be a port of call for information of all that is going on in the municipality but will become an exhibition centre focusing on the history of the town.

The Tribune Building is part of the historical heritage of Benalmadena but was so run down that in 2007 emergency work had to be undertaken on the walls, vault and upper floor, which had been destroyed.

 The plans to bring it back to a modernised version of its former glory include the installation of toilets, a lift, an external staircase and the design will ensure a natural flow internally which will be attractive to visitors.

The building itself will also contain a storage area, reception, customer services, and an exhibition area in which to store and display historical documents which the council looks after.

The work is expected to take between one and a half and two years to complete.