Hospitality Sector in Guardamar Protests Against Terrace Removal Order

Tempers are flaring among the hospitality sector in Guardamar del Segura. The City Council is in a 'battle' with this sector over a municipal ordinance on public space occupation that requires the removal of terrace platforms and enclosures. The aim is to allow these areas to be used as parking when not in use.

The local PSOE government states that those affected have had two years to adapt to the new regulations, while the opposition argues that it "makes no sense" and has "the entire hospitality sector against it."

Meanwhile, the affected sector describes the measure as "nonsensical" and warns of the difficulty and inconvenience for residents in having to remove chairs and furniture late at night. They also question what to do if they find cars parked in the areas they pay for to generate economic returns when opening early in the morning.

As indicated in a letter to those affected, "the occupation of public space with tables and chairs, umbrellas, and awnings will be authorized, excluding fixed structures anchored to the ground and platforms." It also states "the obligation to remove all furniture (including planters, artificial grass, umbrella stands, windbreaks, partitions, and any existing furniture) at the end of daily activity."

The ordinance also includes the right to request "the installation of traffic signs, both vertical and horizontal, prohibiting parking in the roadway space designated for terraces." This way, the City Council aims to ensure the removal of vehicles occupying the area assigned to the establishment. However, according to the Popular Party of Guardamar, the Local Police have indicated in a report that "it cannot guarantee the removal of all vehicles so that the hospitality sector can set up terraces during opening hours."

The Popular Party, through a viral video on their social media, argues that this regulation "makes no sense" and has "the entire hospitality sector against it." Its president and councillor, Marisol Gallud, asserts that "in a tourist town like Guardamar, a good hospitality offer is essential, and removing terraces will worsen service quality." She also urges Mayor José Luis Sáez "to stop hindering the hospitality sector, which only wants to work."

In contrast, Sáez assures this newspaper that he does not intend to remove terraces, as he considers them "indispensable," but rather to regulate their use, as he believes there is "no effective need to exploit public space outside of service hours." The mayor clarifies that the space would remain operational during hours when the hospitality sector is not providing service.

The restrictions on the ordinance, which are uncommon in tourist towns, are challenging to comply with due to a lack of human resources—Local Police officers and public space officials—especially on summer nights when the general ordinance is most frequently violated. Tensions are high in Guardamar.