Majorca is an incredibly popular holiday destination for British and Irish people, which has meant pubs and bars catering to the tourists have popped up across the island.
However, these establishments are now under threat as the island has deemed some of them “too noisy”, leading to the closure of some.
In its latest escalation of anti-tourism regulations, Palma, Majorca’s capital, has targeted two British and Irish pubs, while others face an uncertain future.
The Three Lions pub has been forced to close following noise complaints and the Shamrock Cafe faces a similar temporary shutdown.
The Three Lions on the Paseo Maritimo will be closed for three weeks after an “intense” government investigation.
Llorenc Bauza, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Nature, Healthy Environments, Markets and Innovation, said, “We’re taking control where there was chaos”.
Meanwhile, the Shamrock Cafe is bracing for a six-week precautionary closure, pending the resolution of allegations by the owner. Despite the turmoil, the Shamrock Cafe has released a statement assuring patrons it will remain open.
It read: “We’ve always tried to be good neighbours and respect local rules. We’ll continue collaborating with local authorities so everyone can continue enjoying their favourite Irish pub in Palma.
“We know the rumours could be worrying, but we are here to tell you that Shamrock Palma will continue to be the heart of live music and unforgettable nights on the island.”
From December 2023 to July 2024, Palma Council has initiated over a dozen actions against establishments for breaching noise management regulations.
Overtourism rows erupted in Majorca over the summer, leading to locals protesting about overcrowding and the influx of holiday lets driving people out of their home towns.
Last month, political party Més per Majorca proposed strict new measures to cut tourist accommodation by 40 percent in order to “degrow” the industry.
The party hit out at Balearic Islands president Marga Prohens for vowing to introduce higher tourist tax expected to inflate during specific times and seasons, which they argues was “insufficient”.
Més for Mallorca spokesperson Lluís Apesteguia said: “The containment measures announced by Prohens are insufficient in the face of the collapse situation we are living in, it is essential to make policies to reduce tourism and economic diversification.”
