SUNDAY OPENING

FOR almost a decade I have been boring readers of this space with my calls for shops to open on Sundays but at last it appears that someone has been listening and there appears to be a movement within the local tourist industry to finally get traders to move with the times. Not, only is there talk of shops opening at the weekend but also there is a possibility that the local authorities could pay for street animation as well. What next....tourists will be offered vouchers to spend in local shops, not a bad idea.

Quite a sizeable number of cruise ships visit the Balearics on a Sunday and their passengers head into Palma only to return empty handed. During the winter months Palma could easily be marketed as a getaway weekend winter destination but only if the shops and restaurants are open.

These outdated opening hours have cost the Balearics dearly and the time has finally arrived for some action. Some might say that it is too late and it is a case of a great opportunity being missed. But I doubt it, Palma is a great shopping centre and the only thing which is missing are more flexible opening hours. I would also urge the local authorities to continue with their plan for extended opening hours during the summer months. This is also an excellent idea.