© Melissa Chandler
Dissent from small businesses in Palma over Sunday opening
The continued push for Sunday opening in the centre of Palma is widely supported by the tourism industry and commercial sectors. Already a popular destination for weekend city breaks, given the beaches, restaurants and a wealth of sights and attractions, it is felt the city could become even more competitive if visitors also had the opportunity to shop on Sundays.
In April the mayor of Palma, Aina Calvo, announced that she would ensure the opening of shops, bars and restaurants in the centre of the city, should she be re-elected in May. Her plan encompasses establishments in Jaime III, the Borne and Plaza Juan Carles I and would apply from March 15th to October 30th.
Both the tourist industry and major retail associations welcomed the announcement from the mayor. However, the small retail sector, which is legally allowed to open on Sundays and chooses not to, yesterday complained that it would lead to unfair competition from the larger high street stores. They claim the move would result in more family run businesses being forced to close.
