The City Council of Puerto de la Cruz has announced that this year, the usual chestnut stalls will not be set up for the San Andrés celebrations. This decision stems from various administrative circumstances and penalties related to the management of events in areas governed by Costas del Estado.

As clarified, the procedure to allocate a position commenced on September 6, 2024, with the initiation of an auction file. However, the local authority was penalised with two fines of 60,000 euros each for events conducted in jurisdictions pertaining to Costas, which resulted in the relocation of the chestnut stall to an area outside its authority, specifically “El Matadero”.

The administrative process progressed with the announcement of the file in the Official Gazette of the Province on September 26, making the call effective from October 4. Following the public display period, which ended on November 20, the auction was abandoned due to the absence of bids, despite an initial expression of interest.

The council has indicated that the municipal regulations governing these activities require a comprehensive review. Therefore, the City Council has pledged to explore alternatives by 2025 with the aim of reinstating this tradition and ensuring its proper execution in the future.

The council expresses gratitude for the understanding of residents and visitors regarding this situation and reaffirms its commitment to preserving local traditions in the years to come.