The criticisms of the Terrazas Ordinance that finalizes the Madrid City Council not only are limited to the two -year extension that is granted apart from the evenings located in parking bands.The regulations collect the regulation of other elements, such as the 'food trucks', which neither convinces either merchants, to the neighbors nor the opposition, all sitting at a negotiating table promoted by the vice mayor, Begoña Villacís, inThe one that does not glimpse any understanding.

Until now, these fast -food sales vans were only authorized in specific events.However, the Consistory now plans to regulate them as seasonal kiosks, so that they serve not only in specific fairs or acts, but continuously in the locations approved by each municipal district board.The most controversial point provokes permission so that these gastrontes can have terrace located in front of the counter, as specified by the draft of the ordinance.

The Confederation of Specialized Commerce of Madrid (COCEM) finds no justification for this new formula for the occupation of the public space and reproaches that new businesses are added to which they are allowed to use that merchants are denied."Not everyone has the same access, we cannot get our flowers, books or shoes to the street," says its president, Armando Rodríguez.The extended terraces of the hospitality make their windows invisible and limit pedestrian circulation next to their doors, which harms their sales, and fear that the 'food trucks' will also steal clientele thanks to this "favor treatment" when they have closed 500 storesproximity during pandemic and its collection is between 20 and 25 percent below the pre-crisis era.

The food sector represented in COOM -Frucerírías, Pescaderías, butchers or municipal markets- translates its "absolute opposition" to these gastrontes that only understand as necessary in two cases: in places with difficulty in supplying a type of product or inconcrete events when there are no other supply options in the immediate vicinity."In the capital there are more than 20,000 establishments, there is already a hyperabase," says Rodríguez.Therefore, "there is no need for a perfectly attended service," Zanjan.

Comercios, vecinos y oposición, contra la idea de Villacís de regular 'food trucks' con terraza

The Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Madrid (FRAVM) shares this position."Allowing them to have terrace would be a nonsense that opens the door to an indiscriminate occupation of public space, giving a service that has nothing to do with which a bar or restaurant with terrace can give," says its president, Quique Villalobos.The same attracts attention to the "fast food" that is served in these vans and about the absence of bathrooms in this reduced installation."It makes no sense that the 'food truck' have terrace," he affects before throwing a question with which he invites reflection: "Do you imagine a chestnut sales position, a street churrería or a press kiosk withterrace?".

Silvia Saavedra, delegate of the territorial coordination area that has prepared the ordinance, states that the placement of the terrace furniture of these positions "will respect the pedestrian itineraries."From her council they add that they will only authorize low capacity tables and also clarify that the number of licenses that were previously granted to seasonal kiosks will not increase, but that the squares will be distributed between them and the 'food trucks'.

The mayor of Citizens defends the regularization of "one more form of provision of the hospitality service" and considers "important" that Madrid is consolidated as a "avant -garde" European capital incorporating an "innovative and current" figure "such as the 'food trucks'That, unlike seasonal kiosks, they can process in situ products.In an informal meeting with the press a few weeks ago, Begoña Villacís moved the "wide demand" of the sector to settle in the city.

The left sees "unfair competition" with commerce

However, these arguments do not end up in opposition groups either.More Madrid maintains two differentiated positions depending on its location."In principle, we do not agree in its installation in streets where there is already trade and hospitality in a general way or in parking bands because merchants are made unfair," they explain from the party led by Rita Maestre.They would admit them, on the contrary, in concrete cultural events or popular festivals.

The PSOE, which has abandoned the negotiating table of the ordinance, exhibits a more sharp position: "It makes no senseof government, "they emphasize.Councilor Álvaro Vidal ensures that these points of sale of street food "would overlap with much of the offer already carried out by hospitality establishments."Thus, the 'food trucks' "would only be one more element in the streets that, remember, are first for our neighbors and not for a certain economic sector."

More warm are shown in Recovera Madrid, who ask "that they do not hinder mobility and accessibility or hinder the view of nearby shops."If this is fulfilled, says José Manuel Calvo, and "while paying the corresponding occupation rate of the public space," they should receive "the same treatment" as any other business.

The ViceAlcaldesa of Madrid has insisted on its willingness to reach an agreement with all the agents affected by the terraces ordinance, but these do not see a true compress of the local government to renounce their claims to achieve it.There have already been three meetings and the positions are still very remote.The PSOE, before retiring, pointed out that only hoteliers feel represented in the text and Cocem believes that "there is quite unanimity" in which the regulations have been designed "in a very partial way" and "it is not yet clear that there areWill to move a lot from the starting point. "The 'food trucks' do not seem, at least for now, a matter of union.

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