The Mayor of Calasparra, Jesus Navarro, held a press conference yesterday in an attempt to calm residents who fear the weekly market in Calasparra is under threat.
“ Nobody wants the weekly market to stop. he said,
He defended the 80% rise in pitch charges introduced two weeks ago as part of the planned cuts in the Town Hall budget but added: “Even after the rise we are still one of the cheapest markets in the region.”
The price of a pitch, which has risen from 0.78 to 1.30 euros a metre, the first increase since 1995, covers the cost of personnel controlling traffic, cleaning and security, according to the Mayor.
Defending the rise he said not increasing the charges represented “a disloyal competition” for the local shops.
The textile and footwear stalls may refuse to mount their tstall again this week in protest. However, the Mayor warned: “There is a waiting list of stallholders who want to come to Calasparra.”
