Signs have popped up along roads in one of Spain's most popular holiday hotspots warning tourists that they can now be fined 200 euros for breaking a new shopping rule. It's now illegal in the busy Costa Blanca city of Torrevieja to buy goods from unlicensed traders. Unsuspecting shoppers unaware of the rule change could find themselves £170 out of pocket.
The coastal resort is clamping down on illegal street sellers who flog cheap knock-offs of sports brands and designer wares along the city's main promenade. Tourists are the traders' main clientele, with many drawn in by the rock-bottom prices charged for souvenirs. Read more: Majorca introduces new ban 'between 11pm and 4pm' However, local shop owners have long complained about the threat they pose to legitimate businesses in the area.
Torrevieja's local council announced plans to hand out signs and fines last year but after little enforcement, a stricter crackdown was promised this summer. Yellow and black warning signs have been installed in areas which see the largest concentration of so-called 'looky-looky men', including the Paseo de Juan Aparicio and roads near Los Naufragos beach. The signs include a 200 euro fine warning and roughly translate to say: "The purchase or acquisition in public spaces of food and other products from the self-authorised street vendor is prohibited.
" Undercover police officers will be patrolling the streets of the city centre throughout the summer and on-the-spot fines will be handed to s.