Andalucia plans to let gyms operate 24 hours a day in a bid to boost indoor sports businesses.
Currently, sports facilities can not open past 2am, but the region hopes to change that.
According to the draft law, which has been put out for public consultation, the aim is ‘to respond to certain social demands and requests from the sector by enabling local councils to authorise fixed, enclosed and covered sports facilities to operate continuously, 24 hours a day (24/7 format)’.
The document notes that the current opening hours, limited to between 6am and 2am, prevent the introduction of this operating model.
Any final decision, however, would rest with individual town and city councils.
The proposal forms part of a wider strategy by the Junta to promote indoor sports facilities such as gyms and swimming pools, which it sees as having the potential to boost economic activity.
The regional administration argues that allowing round-the-clock opening would reflect changing social and working patterns and make it easier for people with unconventional hours, personal commitments or specific preferences to access sport and exercise.
The ministry also points to other regions where 24-hour opening is already permitted.
The move coincides with a decision by the government of Juanma Moreno to introduce a new income tax deduction linked to gym and sports centre fees.
From the next tax return, Andalucians will be able to deduct up to 15 per cent of these costs, capped at 100 euros, regardless of income or assets.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
