The oldest private society in the Canary Islands, the Real Casino de Tenerife, has decided to defy the Santa Cruz City Council by continuing its ongoing activities. The board of directors deems the resolution from the Urban Planning Department, dated May 14th, "absolutely disproportionate". This resolution had ordered the immediate suspension of events due to a lack of license, a requirement mandated by the Canary Islands regulations for classified activities and public performances.

The municipal file details the prohibition of events in various areas of the private club, including restaurants, bars, the gym, the nursery, the playroom, and rooms for events, parties, concerts, and karaoke. Despite this, the entity asserts that its activities can proceed, citing the successful "Tardeo en la Terraza" event last Friday, May 22nd, as proof, as well as the normal operation of its regular services.

The resolution, signed by the Councilor for Urban Planning, Zaida González, labels the events held at the historic headquarters in the Plaza de la Candelaria as "clandestine" for lacking the necessary legal coverage. The City Council has also initiated proceedings with a proposed fine of over 25,000 euros for excessive noise during the celebration of the Casino's 185th anniversary in 2025, with both procedures stemming from a neighbor's complaint.

The Real Casino, founded in 1840 and with approximately 2,000 members, argues that its activities are non-profit and do not require express municipal authorization. The board of directors, chaired by Beatriz Barrera, relies on the request for precautionary measures before the administrative-contentious justice system, asserting that this request suspends the execution of the closure order while the merits of the case are resolved.

The institution, holder of the Gold Medal of the City, Island, and Canary Islands, recalls its 186-year history as a "space for coexistence, meeting, and culture" and part of the "collective heritage" of Santa Cruz. The board of directors states it is defending the interests of the Casino, its members, and its employees, whose economic stability depends on the institution, and emphasizes that legal discrepancies should be resolved in the courts.

For its part, the Urban Planning Department maintains that the nature of the activities and the access of non-members to events and services, even through invitations, require administrative authorization. The department argues that the legal form of the society is not determinant when faced with the reality of the activities offered.