A Call to Action
In a context where hospitality and leisure face unprecedented challenges, the Leisure Platform, representing Hospitality, Culture, and Tourism in Madrid, has sent a strong message to the City Council and the Community of Madrid. The organisation, which represents a wide range of businesses in the sector, has requested an immediate review of the permitted capacities in Madrid venues. This demand arises amid what they have termed a “capacity crisis”, affecting both the economic viability of these establishments and the general well-being of the public.
To illustrate their point, the platform conducted a practical demonstration at El Penta, an iconic venue located in the Malasaña neighbourhood. During this event, the capacities established by municipal license were compared with those calculated according to the Technical Building Code. The results were surprising: while an official maximum capacity of 72 people is allowed, the calculation based on evacuation criteria suggests that this number could rise to 225 people, representing an increase of 312.5%.
Representatives of the platform pointed out that operating with only 72 people leaves the venue “practically empty,” which not only affects the establishment's finances but also generates crowds and noise in the adjacent streets. This phenomenon has been described as a “paradox”, as the environmental regulations established by the Municipal General Urban Planning Plan (Pgoum) seem to have contributed more to the noise problem than to its solution.
As the end of the current legislative term approaches, the Platform has urged the City Council to seize this opportunity to unlock the necessary adaptations in capacities within the Special Acoustic Protection Zones (Zpae). Additionally, they have requested that the Community of Madrid implement a new Entertainment Law that adjusts the criteria for calculating capacities in accordance with the Technical Code and reviews the sanctioning regime to make it more objective.
As this crucial discussion progresses, it is clear that any significant change will depend not only on political commitment but also on dialogue between the authorities and key sector stakeholders. Effective and rapid adaptation could be decisive in revitalising a sector hit hard by severe restrictions and ensuring its future within the vibrant cultural landscape of Madrid.
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