Alicante City Council Seeks to Extend Summer Terrace Season Until October 15

Alicante City Council is proposing a last-minute change to the terrace ordinance before its vote in the Presidency Commission and return to the plenary for final approval. The government team suggests extending the summer schedule from July 15 to October 15, allowing terraces to remain open longer. From Sunday to Thursday, establishments must clear everything by 1 a.m., and on weekends until 2 a.m.

This will be presented to the Presidency Commission, as confirmed on Tuesday by the Councillor for Public Space Occupation and government spokesperson, Cristina Cutanda, during the press conference on the Local Government Board.

This modification could jeopardize the agreement between the PP and Compromís, which was provisionally approved in the plenary. Now, the nationalist coalition threatens not to support the final approval of the new Public Space Ordinance if the summer schedule extension for terraces is included, as it will be. "We discussed the schedules with Compromís, not the season," Cutanda justified regarding the changes.

The City Council relies on a report issued by municipal technicians on the amendments to the new Ordinance, which proposes extending these hours from June 15 to October 15, a summer season that also includes lifeguard and beach services, for example.

If this modification is not approved in the Presidency Commission, it will be attempted again in the municipal plenary. If it does not pass in the first instance, a second vote with the original text will be conducted, explained the Councillor for Public Space Occupation.

The new terrace ordinance initially approved by PP and Compromís reduced weekday hours, one of the main complaints from residents. Thus, terraces must close by midnight from Thursday to Sunday. However, the schedule would be extended for the weekend: on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of holidays, establishments can have tables and chairs outside until 1 a.m.

During the summer season (from June 15 to September 30), Easter, and Christmas, the schedule remains as it is: on weekdays, from Sunday to Thursday, establishments must clear everything by 1 a.m.. However, the weekend limit extends until 2 a.m.