The Rastro de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, held every Sunday near the Nuestra Señora de África Market in the capital, is set to undergo a renovation plan, addressing both its appearance and the working conditions that must be adhered to by the over 400 vendors currently holding a municipal licence.
Carlos Tarife, the City Councillor for Public Services, informed DIARIO DE AVISOS yesterday that “last month we initiated a series of quite productive discussions with those in charge of the Rastro to identify solutions that will resolve the irregular circumstances highlighted by inspectors during the flea market events.”
The councillor clarified that “instances have been discovered of individuals selling without proper licensing, leaving goods on the ground which obstructs pedestrian movement, illegal food and drink stalls, and even vehicle access issues to the vicinity during market operations. These actions contravene municipal regulations, and the individuals involved have already faced disciplinary action.”
In this context, Tarife explained that “during the meeting, we requested the Rastro traders ensure that each seller must remain in their designated stall, refrain from being present in other areas or delegating responsibilities to others; that the sales licence and the responsible declaration be publicly displayed; along with not bringing vehicles into the area during operating hours; not trading in unlawful products; and that sellers possess the appropriate registration as self-employed.”
However, regarding the latter point, the Rastro’s management, with President Carmen Tejeda at the helm, expressed their opposition, arguing that in other national markets, such registration for the Tax on Economic Activities is not mandated. “We are currently awaiting the legal representative of the Rastro association to propose a potential course of action in this regard. Once reviewed by the municipal legal services, there will be no issue in amending the existing ordinance, which has been in place since 2015, to incorporate new measures as long as they are feasible,” stated the councillor.
Stalls
Another initiative proposed by the City Council to traders involves revamping the current appearance of the municipal market. “Before the year concludes, the licensed stalls that comply with the regulations will be transformed to feature blue and white colours, promoting a more cohesive look for the Rastro and providing an improved image for visitors and tourists,” Tarife noted.
Bright fabrics will also signify assurance for shoppers frequenting the popular Rastro in the capital, which is poised for renovation and enhancement of safety within its existing location, encompassing the Recova and the Rambla Azul, along with adjacent streets.
In this vein, the Councillor for Public Services emphasised that the aim of this upcoming transformation of the Rastro’s image is to create a more appealing environment. Consequently, a total investment of 233,380 euros will be allocated, taken from the 2024 budget, which will be distributed across two projects. Firstly, funding will be allocated for the Rastro Self-Protection Plan, wherein a private entity will oversee the management and regulation of the market’s activities. Secondly, the installation of the new stalls will occur, entailing an additional investment of 53,280 euros from the current fiscal year, aimed at dignifying this enterprise.
