"Palma Thursday Night Shopping" was unveiled today as part of a fresh drive to boost trade in the city’s retail sector. The campaign was presented by the regional minister for employment, trade and industry, Iago Negueruela. He was accompanied by the mayor of Palma, Jose Hila, the president of the Afedeco commercial association, Rafael Ballester and the director general of commerce and business, Pilar Sanso.
The initiative, which also has the full backing of the Majorcan Restaurant Association and Palma's hoteliers, will mean that city centre shops will be allowed to remain open until 10.30pm every Thursday night until 23 September.
Negueruela explained that the idea is to give residents and tourists the opportunity to have more time to shop.
"Some may have had a long day at work, others a long day on the beach or been on an excursion, or it’s simply too hot to go out shopping in the middle of the day. So this way everyone will have more time to enjoy all the wonderful things Palma has to offer."
Certain monuments are also going to remain open later on a Thursday, including the Cathedral which will not close until 10.30pm. Negueruela said that he welcomed the initiative because it will significantly help to boost Palma’s image and attraction overseas and also help to increase trade in the retail, restaurant and entertainment sectors.
"This all part of our plan to maximise the potential of Palma during the peak season and eventually continue throughout the year," he explained. The minister also highlighted the fact that the latest market consumer reports indicate that business confidence in Spain is at its highest here in the Balearics. He thanked the retail sector in general for supporting initiatives like this which only serve to benefit the city.