Alicante goes on the offensive against an illegal street market

Residents of Colonia Requena have grown tired of the illegal street market that has been hosted every afternoon on Calle Cuarzo for more than two years. Around 5 p.m., sheets and blankets begin to spread throughout the pedestrian zone, along with slippers, cleaning supplies, clothing, toys, and everything else that can be bought or sold. Of course, there is no permit or traceability for the product.

The problem is not new, according to locals, who explain that there were only a few of these kiosks at first, but more are now joining. According to local complaints, the market not only violates the law, but it also creates an unsafe environment in one of the neighbourhoods with the highest risk of social exclusion. In fact, these stalls are directly adjacent to one of the urban enclave’s sports fields, where dozens of children train every day.

According to them, this illicit activity is commonly reported, and police frequently arrive to break up the market. However, once they leave the street, the stalls quickly return. In reality, the recently dead Antonio Colomina of the neighbourhood association had already condemned this behaviour and collaborated extensively with the authorities to put an end to it.

Residents of Colonia Requena are concerned about not just the illegality of selling goods of unknown origin, but also the likelihood that this place will be utilised to sell additional narcotics. This is why they are concerned it will become a hotspot in the neighbourhood.

Not only that, but when the stalls are taken, the space is left dusty and littered, rendering it almost worthless for any other purpose until they are restored in the same location the next day.

The police confirm that they take regular action, but they are still fighting to abolish this behaviour. Residents, for their part, are advocating for stronger action. They want that they not only remove vendor stalls, but also alert customers that they may be contributing to punishable criminal activity.

In September 2023, the Alicante municipal plenary session passed an institutional declaration that included the abolition of this market. Vox initiated the initiative, which was passed with the PP’s backing.