The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has reached an agreement with traders from the city’s Rastro to allow them to suggest new suitable locations nearby the current site, which will be assessed by the council by the week of February 9. If a resolution is not identified, the market’s operations will relocate to Avenida Marítima.
On Saturday, the local government reaffirmed its “commitment” to preserving the Rastro, which they assert holds “significant economic and cultural value” for the city, featuring 400 stalls, while ensuring that the new site meets “all necessary safety standards.”
The council has reminded that safety concerns at the existing location near the Nuestra Señora de África Market have been highlighted on numerous occasions. Consequently, on November 6, the local authority temporarily suspended the market’s operations due to these issues.
Following a meeting on that same day, the local council decided to permit the market to continue until January 6 in order to avoid disrupting Christmas sales and to establish a permanent solution.
José Manuel Bermúdez, the mayor of Santa Cruz, stated, “The Rastro is a traditional and vital aspect for many families in our city,” thus the council is “fully devoted to ensuring its continuation, but always within a framework that secures the safety of everyone involved.”
In this context, Carlos Tarife, the Councilor for Public Services, has emphasised the City Council’s awareness of the Rastro’s economic and cultural significance to our city. He stated, “This is why we are dedicated to securing its continuity under optimal safety conditions.”
“This year, we will procure tents to enhance the appearance of the stalls, and we will revise the ordinance to accommodate the hours based on the vendors’ needs. Additionally, if we ultimately relocate to Avenida Marítima, we will do all we can to ensure it remains visible and retains the same footfall as every Sunday,” he added.
