APCOM

Milano's city council estimates that in August 4,198 shops will remain open, a 15% increase compared with the same period in 2007. The most significant expected growth is for food stores (+47%, 477 against last year's 325), bakeries (+42%, 654 against 460) and fashion boutiques (+35%, 287 against 213). The number of dental practices (+93%, 29 against 15) and veterinary surgeries (+24%, 36 against 29) remaining open is also sharply higher.

The list of all the stores scheduled to remain open was published in the 204-page guide 'Milano aperta d'agosto', which will be delivered to citizens and can be found in the city's stations, airports and post offices. Unlike the previous 13 editions, this one has an online version on the city council's website.

Local authorities, said the town councillor for Tourism, Marketing and Identity Massimiliano Orsatti, aim at convincing shopkeepers and professionals that they can do business in August despite the holiday exodus. The city council can't force shopkeepers to remain open and fines are very low for those who renege on their pledge to do so. According to the latest estimates, 700,000 Milanese people will stay in the city in August, 50,000 more than 12 months ago. The number of tourists is increasing too (+10%).