Alicante Considers Phased Implementation of Bar Hour Reductions

The countdown for the implementation of the Acoustically Saturated Zone (ZAS) around Castaños Street and in the Old Town has already begun. Pending two reports, it did not enter the Local Government Board this Tuesday, but the municipal intention is to approve it as soon as possible as presented. That is, with hours for terraces and leisure venues until one in the morning on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday eves.

These limits will remain as planned by the Alicante City Council, according to government team spokesman and Environment Councilor Manuel Villar. There is no room for negotiation with other political groups since Vox left the approval of the ZAS in Compromís's hands, which has led to the reduction in hours.

The City Council is aware that such a drastic reduction in activity for Alicante's leisure venues would be detrimental. Hoteliers estimate that two thousand jobs will be lost with the implementation of the ZAS. Without entering into a numbers war, the government team wants to «give leeway» in applying the terrace ordinance and the ZAS itself «to cause the least possible harm» to the sector, Villar stated after the press conference following the Local Government Board.

The City Council is considering implementing this ZAS in phases, not directly applying approved closing hours, to give that leeway, said the municipal government team spokesman.

For now, it is a deliberation within the government team. But it could also be seen as a gesture towards the sector, which has reacted very strongly against implementing the ZAS by announcing they are «breaking ties» with the government team and will seek judicial recourse against the political decision.

Villar acknowledged that they are «open» to resuming dialogue with the sector. But it takes two to tango. And the current climate makes any rapprochement difficult: «The City Council has not walked away from any table nor broken ties with anyone,» added the deputy mayor.

«We will continue promoting the city and want people to keep coming,» Villar added about the consequences of this break with the hospitality sector, a pillar of the city's economy.