The English Square |
The Summer closing times, which are applicable between 15th June and 15th September allow bars, restaurants and cafes to remain open until 2am, Disco/Cabaret bars until 4am and Nightclubs until 7am. The request asks for the same Summer hours on Friday and Saturday nights and the Eve of any Bank Holidays, with Gema Amor explaining that the hospitality and nightlife business is extremely important to the economy of the resort - someone talking sense there. But she reiterated the need to do it with the support and respect of the rights of the residents too.
Streets of the Old Town |
Earlier this year the GIE - Grupo de Inspeccion de Establecimientos was disbanded after 20 years and integrated into the local police. They were an independent police department that inspected bars and clubs, ensuring that they adhered to closing times and noise pollution levels. The breakup of the department caused much ill feeling between the police department and the Councillor for Security who questioned the discipline and reputation of the GIE. However, Marcet maintains that the department was not dismantled but intergrated into another unit as a result of the creation of community policing.
Will half an hour realistically make much difference - Im not too sure. But at least there is acknowledgement that the entertainment sector is important to the town, of which the Brits make up a huge percentage.