BLITAR – Blitar City government has started reviewing the stadium shop rental system at Soepriadi Stadium after finding irregular business activity and unpaid rental fees among tenants.
The evaluation focuses on 24 shop units located inside the stadium complex. Officials from the Blitar Youth and Sports Agency, known locally as Dispora, discovered that several kiosks no longer operate regularly.
Acting Head of Blitar City Dispora, Heru Eko Pramono, said the agency recently gathered shop tenants to discuss current problems and collect feedback from traders.
“Some shops open daily, while others close frequently or operate unpredictably. We found that the field conditions match the reports we received,” Heru said.
According to him, declining sales have become the main issue affecting traders around the stadium area. Lower customer traffic has reduced income for many business owners.
The situation has also affected rental payments. Several tenants have fallen behind on retribution fees because their businesses no longer generate stable profits.
“Some tenants still have unpaid fees because business has slowed down. We are currently recording and reviewing those cases,” he explained.
Besides evaluating payment issues, Dispora also plans to update rental contract administration. Officials found that several lease agreements had already expired but had not undergone renewal.
The agency wants to improve administrative order while ensuring tenants continue operating under clear legal agreements.
Interestingly, many traders requested a more traditional payment reminder system during discussions with officials. Tenants admitted they felt more comfortable making payments after receiving direct reminders from officers instead of relying only on digital banking applications.
“Many traders prefer face-to-face reminders when it comes to payments,” Heru said. “The digital payment system will continue, but our officers will also visit tenants regularly.”
The government hopes the new approach can improve payment discipline while maintaining better communication with traders inside the stadium complex.
Officials also expect the evaluation to help revive business activity around Soepriadi Stadium. The area has long served as a commercial center for small businesses and food vendors in Blitar City.
Dispora plans to continue monitoring shop activity and administrative compliance in the coming months. Authorities aim to create a more organized rental system while supporting local traders facing economic pressure.