UK tourists in Spain handed victory as major five-year 'ban' set to be lifted

Malaga is set for a major shake-up that could end the five-year ban on new bars and restaurants. The city council has announced a €72,600 project to measure noise levels across the centre and the Teatinos neighbourhood in the European Union city.

Both were declared Acoustically Saturated Zones (SAZ) in 2019, which put a stop on new bars and restaurants opening in the tourist-heavy areas. The six-month study, set to begin after December 4, will determine whether noise levels have improved since the restrictions were implemented.

The results will directly influence whether the council maintains or modifies the current ban. At the moment, although it may seem that new bars are opening all the time, 'new' ones are in fact those that already have pre-existing licences or businesses that have moved to new premises in both districts.

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At the beginning of 2016 a technical study was contracted and following the conclusions, the city hall agreed on 28 September 2018 to declare certain areas of the centre and Teatinos as acoustically saturated zones (ZAS). The plans came into force in January 2020.

In the dossier, signed by the general director for sustainability, Javier Gutiérrez del Álamo, the new contract is justified after four years and the need to evaluate how these measures have affected noise levels. "The number of measurements to be made shall be defined by the size of each street or area, with a minimum of three points per street or area," the guidance says.

"Measurements shall be taken at all street crossings, as well as a number of measurements between the two street crossings, taking into account that the maximum separation distance between two measurement points shall be 50 metres," the specifications state.

The results of this assessment, which could significantly influence Malaga's future as a tourist hotspot, are anticipated by mid-2025.