Battle over Christmas market stalls in Plaza Mayor

TRADERS who operate in Palma's Plaza Mayor have taken their annual complaint to Begoña Morales, the head of Health and Consumer Affairs department at City Hall. For years now, said one of the shopkeepers affected by the move, they have been up in arms about the way the Christmas market stalls are placed in the square. A representative from Plaza Mayor explained that the temporary shelters are constructed with their backs to the permanent shops.
ONGOING BATTLE
This means prospective clients entering the square are deflected away from their premises towards the attractions of the Christmas stalls.
The shopkeepers have also noticed that the traders are setting up their businesses earlier each year; this year construction started as early as 6th November. The permanent traders said that they have been having this ongoing battle for as long as twenty years and insist that although they have not got anything against the Christmas market, they are asking for Palma Council to help them come to a lasting solution to what they see as a major disadvantage. Every year, there are some 60 different stalls set up in the Plaza Mayor that provide a major attraction to visitors and residents alike for seasonal shopping.