The Sunday opening controversy rumbles on

ALICANTE CITY stores denied Sunday opening are still deliberating how to fight new regulations.  

Their counterparts in Valencia City have decided to take a firm stance on a similar ruling and plan to fight the measure through the courts.

The regional government’s Consell, equivalent to a Cabinet, gave the go-ahead to Alicante City Council’s decision to exclude big Avenida Maisonnave stores from opening on Sundays and national holidays.  

 Alicante Mayor Gabriel Echavarri said he was keeping his election promise,  and had the backing of most members of the Commerce Committee.

The move is designed to promote smaller stores and family-run shops although not all back the city hall initiative.

Alicante members of ANGED, Spain’s national association of big stores whose members include El Corte Ingles, described the measure as ‘a backward step.’  

Although ANGED respected the decision, a spokesman said the association stressed it does not support the Maisonnave exclusion. El Corte Ingles has not expressed an opinion yet.

The new regulations will not benefit shoppers and are going to change spending habits, ANGED warned.