There is good news for local bars and restaurants as the terrace tax is suspended to help the hospitality sector recover during the coronavirus de-escalation period on Spain’s Costa Blanca.
Orihuela City Council has decided that bars, cafes and restaurants are now exempt from paying the additional tax for using pavements to enable them to spread out tables and adhere to social distancing measures to ensure customer safety.
The Councillor for Finance, Rafael Almagro announced the decision after the local government’s recent Pleno meeting, held on line.
The mandatory fee applicable to all businesses using pavements for chairs and tables will be suspended with immediate effect.
The Councillor said: “This ruling will help the businesses of Orihuela recover during the crisis, they will be exempt from paying this fee until the end of the year.”
Of course, they will be some businesses that have already paid that specific tax for this year and in reference to those owners Councillor Almagro added: “They may request a refund of the amount paid between 14th March and entry into Phase 1 on 11th May.”