The great sunloungers' controversy of Pollensa continues. Beachgoers are currently paying fifteen euros for two loungers and a parasol, when they shouldn't be. That's because the concession for services on the town's beaches has still to be formally settled.
After the lengthy delay caused by the town hall's application for a new specification and so therefore a new authorisation from the national Costas Authority for beach services, the sun loungers started to appear two weeks ago. At the time, the Bulletin expressed its surprise, as it had been understood that the concession had yet to be awarded. It hadn't been. Not formally. This understanding was subsequently confirmed, and a few days later the mayor, Miquel Ángel March, was reported as saying that the town hall would not intervene, given the public interest in the service. We also observed, though, that it was known that beachgoers were paying. As there had been no formal authorisation from the town hall, there should have been no charging.
On Friday, the mayor said that the town hall was unaware of these "irregular" charges (it only needed to look on social media to be aware), but it would be looking into it.
Some 2,500 sunlounger sets have been placed on different beaches, so there is a far from insignificant income being derived. Tourists have even been advised by the tourist information office in Puerto Pollensa that there wasn't as yet a charge for the sunloungers (so one part of the town hall was fully aware).
There is clear evidence of the charges being levied, i.e. tickets issued by the Puerto Pollensa Residents Association for Puerto Pollensa and Cala San Vicente beaches that indicate a payment of 12.39 euros plus IVA (VAT): 15 euros in total.
The mayor says that the award will finally be resolved this week.