Palma's Born was stripped of its bar and restaurant terraces today as work began on erecting tents for the annual book fair.
But restaurant and bar owners as well as retailers are outraged because the terraces are not allowed to be put back until 8 June, a week after the book fair has finished. The town hall claims that they need ten days to build, hold and then dismantle the fair - which only lasts for five days.
The president of the Majorcan Restaurant Association, Alfonso Robledo, said today that at this time of the year the economic loss to the bars and restaurants along the Born is going to be considerable, because the terraces have very much become a focal point of the city for residents and visitors. Moreover, at least 30 members of staff are going to have to be laid off for the duration of the fair because there will be no work for them with the terraces closed.
The retail sector has complained that the fair is not only being held in peak summer season but right in the centre of the city when plenty of other locations are just as suitable such as the Passeig Sagrera, which is where the medieval markets and a host of other large events are held. The retailers also fear that the book fair will have a negative affect on trade.
The town hall also came under fire for having refused permission for the bars and restaurants to move their terraces to one side of the Born and leave space for the book fair.