The high point of the controversy between the two entities occurred last Friday during an inspection action by the municipality and Public Security Police (PSP) agents, which resulted in the removal of the nightlife establishment’s terrace.
Since the opening of local accommodation and some hotels on Rua da Alfândega, the dance club claims to be the target of “persecution, harassment, abuse of power and influence peddling” by local authority officials. This is because at the heart of the dispute is the terrace and the opening hours of the Mini Eco Bar.
According to those responsible for the bar, the CMF disputes the legality of the license issued at the time of Miguel Albuquerque and Rubina Leal’s council, as it claims that the established opening hours are not in accordance with the current Municipal Regulation nº 692/2015.
However, Mini Eco Bar argues that it falls under article 2, no. 2 of the aforementioned regulation, which gives them permission to operate until 4 am, due to having a space for dancing.
DIÁRIO questioned the CMF about this situation, but so far has not received any response. However, as it was possible to ascertain, the seizure of the tables and chairs was due to the occupation of the public road, as the terrace was allegedly exceeding the limit of the area allocated to it.
As a protest to the CMF’s action, Mini Eco Bar launched a campaign for “friends, customers and supporters” to go to the space and take chairs “in order to fill the gap in the terrace that was abusively and illegally removed by the CMF” .