Santa Gertrudis residents warn of "new threats" after Sluiz closure

In the same message, Sluiz denounced that the shop "is being closed under extremely bizarre circumstances", also mentioning how the notice of closure was "inhumanly short (48 hours)".

"An island, once considered a PARADISE to many, is now turning into a dark corporate hole where only the biggest fish have a chance to survive and there is no room to be a decent human being," the owners wrote in the same letter, claiming that "we have not done anything extremely unusual and yet we are being kicked out". They also stated that they are "not the only ones in the area experiencing this. It really seems to be a trend".

In response to this message, the Santa Eulària Town Council affirmed that the deadlines and the procedure followed are those established by law "and are always followed by the municipal technicians according to the risk posed by illegalities".

"The report is based on legal grounds and the property can make the corresponding allegations if it believes that there is something that does not conform to the law," said municipal sources.

The Consistory also pointed out that there were complaints concerning the activity of the business, with an open judicial procedure in this respect.

The inspection by the local police and the municipal industrial engineer took place on the 10th of June, the council concluded. "If they comply with the licence they have, they will be able to reopen," they added.

Neighbours

In relation to this closure and through social networks, residents of Santa Gertrudis this tuesday acknowledged that they feared the return of "new threats" to the quiet village of Fruitera. In this sense, they referred to the rumours that have been circulating around the village for a few days and which suggest that the owner of the estate where the Sluiz shop opened - Can Malacosta - has received a "succulent" offer from an investment fund. It should be remembered that, years ago, these neighbours even went to court when an attempt was made to open the discotheque La Diosa on the same property.

Some residents recently met with municipal officials to ask the Town Hall "to behave itself this time because, many times, these things depend on political will". The residents recalled that, in the case of La Diosa, the Council's actions at the time were more than reprehensible and it took a court ruling to force the closure of an activity that was not covered by a licence, also ordering the opening of an infringement case. These same citizens assured that the owners of the business were planning to register a letter of allegations with the Town Hall and stated that "there are two very powerful groups interested in reactivating the licences for this place. There are curves coming", they warned.

According to what they told to Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera, they will remain attentive to what might happen in the coming weeks. "We weren't surprised either because we've been hearing about this for some time. El Sluiz is a good neighbour," they concluded.