The IU has pushed through a motion to promote the ‘espeto de sardines’ as a tourist attraction, authorising the activity in each and every one of the catering establishment in the municipality, without exception, provided they meet certain requirements to be set down in a future ordinance. This was prompted by the intention of the minority PSOE government to reduce the number of authorised establishments to just a few.
The IU saw the potential restrictions as harmful to tourism, employment and generally unfair. Business organisations and individuals will be consulted on the best type of, and most attractive, ‘furniture’ to be used for grilling the sardines.
Much, of course, will depend upon the conditions set down in any future municipal ordinance. It would be a shame to see this traditional activity disappear on the grounds of so-called ‘image’.