The economic crisis is certainly taking its toll throughout Spain. According to latest reports, around 300 businesses in Spain are going under each day.
In Jaén, the commercial centre has seen 40 shops disappear in the past five months, a figure which accounts for 12% of business in the centre.
In general, shops devoted to the supply of essential goods and services are faring better than the rest, but there are an awful lot who are just treading water, hoping for an improvement in the economic climate and seeking assistance whenever and wherever it is on offer.