Xàbia will allow the expansion of tables and chairs to the hospitality and withdraws the payment of the fee until the end of the year
The Xàbia City Council is working to facilitate, in the best way, the growth of the local economy after being affected by the health crisis of COVID-19.
With the announcement of the de-escalation by the Central Government, bars and restaurants may open their doors but with capacity restrictions, positive measures to prevent the spread of the virus, but negative measures for the business community to overcome the economic crisis . Thus, and in order to boost the economy, the City of Xàbia has determined some measures to support the hospitality sector.
On the one hand, the consistory will allow the terraces of the bars and restaurants to be expanded, even giving the possibility that businesses that do not have this type of service can do so occupying part of the public highway, "always maintaining the access and corresponding pedestrian crossing, as well as security. Each case will be studied individually to verify its viability", has indicated the mayor, José Chulvi.
This measure, which includes the promenade of the Tennis Player David Ferrer (Arenal), the Spanish Navy and the Promenade, has been requested for authorization from the General Directorate of Coasts, which is the authority of this territory. Likewise, the first mayor has added that some streets will also be pedestrianized as well as accesses to the Arenal beach, reducing some parking spaces, so that businesses on this part can benefit from this measure. In this pedestrianization, Chulvi has indicated Plaza Celestino Pons (Mercat Municipal) or some perpendicular accesses to the Paseo del Arenal.
The first mayor explained that the expansion proposal is three meters wide from the facade of the premises, thus leaving about five meters of access for pedestrians. "Until now it was not allowed to occupy the road or the pedestrian area, but we make this exception to favor businessmen and that they can comply with the measure of two meters of distance between tables", stated the mayor of Xàbia.
Request expansion
To adhere to this measure, starting tomorrow, May 8, the interested businessman must complete an application that he will find through the web portal of the City Council (electronic headquarters of the City Council). Once the request is registered, it will be when the business is visited and the feasibility is studied.
José Chulvi has remarked that "It is not allowed to modify the conditions of the terrace, nor to install tables or chairs in public spaces that are not allowed until authorization is obtained" and added that once it started, "For those who do not comply with the conditions, there will be no sanctions or fines, but the tables and chairs will be removed and the occupation will be impossible". In this regard, the mayor has asked the hoteliers for responsibility and recalled that the expansion of the terraces is for the installation, only, of tables and chairs, not of another element such as pergolas, etc.
Suspension of the occupancy rate
On the other hand, the other measure that Chulvi has announced in favor of the hoteliers is that the payment of the occupation fee for public roads is suspended until December 31, "for the time being, it was suspended until the Alarm State was lifted. , but we keep it until the end of the year, thus helping to have less expenses ". The mayor has indicated that the stoppage of this rate causes the City Council to stop entering around 130.000 euros.