Cafés and bars in one of the busiest parts of Las Palmas have reacted furiously to an order to close their pavement terraces by 10pm.
The businesses in the Guanarteme district say they face serious financial issues if they are prevented from serving customers after the cut-off time as a major slice of their revenue is generated late at night.
The order is part of a bitter conflict between the bars and local residents who have long complained that late-night noise in several streets prevents them from sleeping. The complaints forced the council to impose strict operating hours for the many tables and chairs situated on the pavements outside the bars.
The order has been reiterated as summer gets into full swing in the capital and brings the businesses one of their busiest periods.
An association representing the bars and cafés affected by the order slammed it as excessive and warned that jobs could be lost if the 10pm curfew is met.
“This decision is based on complaints dating back to 2022 and nothing has been done to check if they are still valid. No noise measurements have been taken to see if the problem still exists and there has been no dialogue with us” complained an association spokesman.
In response, Las Palmas council states that it has no option but to enforce the curfew as it stems from a court ruling that found in favour of the residents.
