New noise restrictions in Magaluf’s bars and clubs will make music quieter than a HAIRDRYER
The ruling is part of a drive to turn the Majorcan resort into a family-friendly holiday destination
MAGALUF has been a magnet for boozy Brits for more than 25 years.
But the party could soon be over for the Majorcan resort, thanks to a strict new law that limits music in bars and nightclubs to the level of a hairdryer.
The ruling, which was passed three years ago by the local government but only came onto effect this month, is part of a drive to turn the area into a family-friendly holiday destination.
In order to comply with the new regulations, all of the establishments have had to install decibel limiters and extra sound proofing.
If the speakers in a bar go over 65 decibels, a sound limiter is triggered and a warning light flashes on a board at the local police station.
65 decibels is the same noise level that a hairdryer of a vacuum cleaner makes.
Locals who depend on party tourism had criticised the bill, claiming that it is going to “kill the place dead.”
But the council seem unconcerned, with recent pleas from establishment owners and entertainers falling on deaf ears.
David Smith, the manager of which organises local pool, boat, stag and hen parties, says that some bars used to find ways around the rule but that’s now impossible with the new decibel limiters.
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He told Sun Online: “The amplifiers are linked to the police, so if it doesn’t balance the police can turn them off.
“It’s all part of the council crack down and obviously it’ll affect business.
“Once you get a nightclub full of people, you won’t be able to hear anything.”
Last weekend, the ban appeared to have had little effect on the party-loving Brits who descended on local bras and clubs.
The party town saw of raucous revellers fly from the UK to spend a week downing drinks and letting their hair down.
Hundreds of people were pictured this weekend stumbling out of bars and clubs along the main strip of the town in all manner of ridiculous costumes.
Drunken Brits wearing cheerleader outfits, cross-dressing and clad in Union Jacks wandered the streets as they soaked up the party atmosphere.
But it’s yet to be seen whether the lack of loud music will affect bookings among holidaymakers for 2018.
The huge crowds also appeared seemingly unaffected by another 109 new rules implemented by local councillors that will now result in 100 euro on-the-spot fines for badly-behaved tourists.
Among the public order offences is a ban on scaling balconies, picking flowers and building unauthorised sand sculptures.
Tourism bosses announced the new move in March as part of their long-running plan to clean up the party spot’s X-rated image.
According to local tourism chiefs, the regeneration is already having an effect, with family bookings up this year.
David Smith said that his own entertainment company will also switch away from party packages if the noise band has a big effect on bookings.
He added: “We’re watching now to see on what the outcome is.
“The bars will have to change to family-friendly establishments and we’ll transfer our sales to things like water parks and aquariums.”