The PSOE of Albox has denounced the approval, by the local government team, of an «abusive» rate for the installation of tables and chairs on public roads, which will mean that setting up a terrace in the municipality will be 30% more expensive than doing so on the Gran Vía in Madrid, 66% more expensive than in the historic centre of Malaga or 80% more expensive than in the historic centre of the capital of Almeria.
The socialists have harshly criticised this «armed robbery against the hotel and catering sector» of the municipality, which will have to face a rise of between 70 and 200% on the previous rate, depending on whether or not they have pergolas or similar elements. We are facing a crazy increase, which will place Albox as one of the most expensive places in Spain to set up chairs and tables in the street,» said Francisco Carrillo, secretary general of the PSOE Albojense, «We are facing a crazy increase, which will place Albox as one of the most expensive places in Spain to set up chairs and tables in the street.
In addition, with the new tax, as it stands, the majority of establishments in Albox will be affected, as it affects those who set up terraces on the public highway, while those who do so on pavements will not be affected by the increase. «We do not understand the reason for this discrimination and we demand that the mayor give an explanation,» said Carrillo.
The socialist representatives have made clear their opposition to this «abusive and unjustified increase in rates, which breaks the equality between establishments maintained until now and which also establishes a price that is absolutely unaffordable for many of our hoteliers». Likewise, the socialists remind us that this action represents a second «unjustified punishment» for this sector, which «is added to the abandonment they suffered in the middle of the pandemic, when the Albox Town Hall did not provide them with any kind of direct aid to support them during the months of closure and limited capacity».