First it was the indignation caused by the delay to getting Christmas market stalls ready on time, now Palma’s traders are upset with the town hall’s Christmas lights as well. Bernat Coll, president of the Pimeco association that represents small to medium-sized retailers, has criticised the absence of lights in several key shopping areas of the city. “We are seeking a solution as soon as possible to avoid harm to trading activity over the Christmas period.”
Coll identifies the C. General Riera and the Geranios mall as areas where there is particular “indignation”, with traders letting the town hall know about it. “They (the traders) don’t understand why there aren’t lights as there have been for some fifteen years and have been withdrawn without notice,” Coll says. “They are an attractive visual element for customers and they help to give life at this time and so boost trade.”
The Pimeco president argues that retailers in parts of the city should have the same “right” to Christmas lights as residents and businesses in the centre. “The town hall should reach consensus with those affected rather than take unilateral decisions which can be prejudicial to the city’s economic activity.”