Davinia Ramírez: “The inspections have documented irregularities such as the installation of amplifiers on the terraces, which is why the sealing of the sound equipment outside has also been ordered”
Alejandro Marichal: “We cannot allow some establishments to operate outside the law, causing harm to those who do comply with the law, as well as causing inconvenience to residents”
The San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, through the Urban Planning Discipline area, has initiated sanctioning procedures against two nightlife venues located in the Meloneras Playa Shopping Centre, the Aqua Ocean Club managed by Pacífica Meloneras SL, and Mamajuana, operated by Buena Vista Canarias SLU. These measures respond to repeated breaches of Law 7/2011 on Classified Activities and Public Spectacles of the Canary Islands, which regulates the conditions of safety, accessibility and compliance with the licensing regulations for recreational and leisure activities.
As explained by the Councillor for Urban Planning, Davinia Ramírez, the resolution against Aqua Ocean Club “arises after various inspections that revealed the improper use of facilities and unauthorized activities. It has been found that since at least June 2024, the establishment has been holding musical shows on the terrace, an area not authorized for this, in breach of the provisions of its license”. In addition, the use of sound equipment outside was verified, generating an acoustic impact above the established limits. In response, the City Council has imposed a financial penalty of 18.000 euros, classifying the events as a very serious infraction, and has ordered the sealing of the sound equipment, along with the possibility of a temporary suspension of its activity for up to six months in the event of a repeat offense. However, this measure has been temporarily suspended following the decision of the Administrative Litigation Court No. 1 of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, which by means of an order has granted the provisional suspension of the execution of the municipal decree in view of the circumstances “of special urgency alleged by the representatives of the establishment”. However, this decision does not invalidate the ongoing sanctioning procedure or its eventual final resolution.
For its part, Mamajuana faces a fine of 18.000 euros, also for unauthorized activities, such as holding musical events on terraces and outdoor areas without the necessary permits. The establishment's license, explains Ramírez, "only allows the activity of a tapas bar outside without shows or background music and since August 2024, inspections have documented continuous irregularities, which include the installation of sound amplification systems in prohibited spaces." For these reasons and as an immediate measure, the sealing of the outdoor sound equipment has also been ordered.
Both establishments had already received prior requests to cease these activities and comply with current regulations, but these have not been heeded. In the case of Aqua Ocean Club, municipal technicians had requested on several occasions that its facilities be adapted and that unauthorised equipment be removed. Similarly, Mamajuana was warned about the limitations of its licence and the need to obtain specific permits for the activities carried out. Despite these warnings, both establishments continued to operate outside the regulations, which led to the opening of disciplinary proceedings.
The San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council stresses that these sanctions are part of a strict policy to ensure compliance with urban planning regulations and classified activities. The first deputy mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Alejandro Marichal, explains that "these measures seek to protect the well-being of residents and the safety of users of nightlife facilities, as well as ensuring that all leisure establishments operate based on the regulations: "We cannot allow some establishments to operate outside the law, causing harm to those who do comply with it, as well as causing inconvenience to residents and generating problems of coexistence and public order," he said.
The sanctions include, in addition to the financial fines, periodic inspections to verify compliance with the provisions and, in the event of a repeat offence, the activities will be temporarily or permanently suspended. Ramírez calls on all night-time leisure operators to “adjust their activities to the established regulations, thus ensuring a safe, respectful and legally-compliant entertainment offer”, concludes the Councillor for Urban Planning.
