The City Hall reports that this year it wants to give a new atmosphere to the Plaza del Castillo, otherwise it was becoming a big bottle. To do this they will place bars and in the afternoon and at night, it will be managed in the music square by DJ, more than the traditional dance and concert.

The issue comes from the forbidden tent to the high bars of Aldapa de Labrit Street for the Sanfermines this year, and for some "excuse". These accommodations have had the opportunity to have in the last 32 years tents and bars to work day and night in the Sanfermines in front of their bar, but this year the City Hall has denied them such permission, claiming that they generate annoyance and problems for the neighbors. The neighbors of the area are happy to make the decision, very bad on the part of the hosteleros.

Ten bars in Plaza del Castillo

In order to alleviate the anger of its hotel owners, the City Hall has made a counterproposal both to them and to the lodgings of the plaza del Castillo: Possibility of placing ten bars in the plaza del Castillo. As there are more bars, there will be a draw among the applicants.

These bars would be located inside the florist of the plaza. They will have electricity but without running water, they will not be able to install music or terrace or chair and can open from 10 a.m. until 2:30 a.m.

In the city there is a lot of debate about the issue, because many believe that it is precisely this that leads to the "bottle of tourists" to the heart of the city. The mayor, Enrique Maya, has also advanced with the issue, questioned on Wednesday that there were bars, claiming that the bars did not make any demand: "If the accommodations don't want the problem is over." He said so, literally, recognizing that there is now a problem where there were no problems. This Friday, the City Hall announced that thirteen properties have already requested the installation of the bar.

Among the hotel owners of Labrit and Plaza del Castillo there are also opinions of all kinds, and some have publicly stated that they do not find it a proper idea. However, it has also been heard that if the premises are not presented they will be offered to those outside, and in the light of this, some bars have announced that they are obliged to accept the proposal and to make the request.

Something similar has been said by the person responsible for the accommodation of Segment Etxea in the statements made at ETB2, that putting the bars is not a good idea, but at the end of the day "more than putting a bar in front of our bar, we will have to put it ourselves". From the Napargar brewery they have stressed that nobody has spoken to the hotel owners when it comes to putting forward the proposal, that they will not put the bar and that they fear the atmosphere that can be created in the plaza.

Already there are 67 accommodations

In the words of Aldezarrean Bizi, the decision of the DJs and the bars has been taken with surprise, which worsens the situation of the neighbours who have already suffered a harsh situation. He has also denounced that it increases the occupation of an already busy public space and that more alcohol will be brought to the Old Town where there is a lot of alcohol in itself.

Currently there are 14 accommodations in the plaza del Castillo and in the streets that surround it 53 – Estafeta, San Nicolás, Comedias, Pozo Blanco and Mercaderes. All this is happening when this very week the members of the Sanfermines Público announced that no bar will be installed in the Sanfermines, as the City Hall has not given them permission to set up holiday zones in the squares of Errekolet and O that they have installed in recent years.