The Palma federation of residents associations has requested an urgent meeting with the mayor, Jaime Martínez, because of increased spaces now being occupied by bar and restaurant terraces.
The town hall has modified regulations that affect eight parts of the city, the PSOE opposition reckoning that occupied space has increased by up to 40%. La Lonja and Passeig Born are among the areas affected.
The president of the federation, Maribel Alcázar, says that it was not informed and only found out about the expansion in the press.
In Banc de l'Oli, where residents have been in conflict with one particular establishment for years, the president of the local residents association, Lluïsa Coves, says: "It seems incredible that the town hall has not consulted anyone."
Restaurant owners are meanwhile pleased with the town hall. The president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, Alfonso Robledo, says that under the previous regime, "there was an abusive and very aggressive reduction in space".
He adds: "Residents go to the bars, they are our customers. One or two more tables are not going to disturb people." Coves disagrees: "It's not the residents who go to these places; it's the tourists."
Francisco Ducrós of PSOE is insisting that the town hall's decision to expand the terrace space be withdrawn and that citizens are listened to. "It is crucial that municipal policies are oriented towards improving the quality of life of all residents and not just satisfying the interests of a few."
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Alot of it is just greedy Mallorquins. Prices don't have to be that high. The price that some bars want now for a Cana. (Small local beer) Is insane. If I go somewhere different now I always ask the price first. I was charged in Palma x2 3.75€ for a small beer for my friend and I. 7.50€ for 2 small beers is wrong on so many levels.
Exactly. And this is a very good example of why long suffering residents are getting totally fed up with tourism. It’s not the fault of travellers - it’s the local councils who have no consideration what so ever for local people. They just want money. And it’s the greed that’s driving the problem.
I think what residents are most concerned about are terraces operating beyond their authorised times. For example, late at night when sound carries the loudest. Living in an urban environment comes with the downside that at any moment a bar or restaurant with a terrace will extend their hours and cause great disturbance to local residents. In other cities terraces are policed and cannot keep open into the early hours. Why not here?