Guardamar del Segura, 22 October 2025 – The iconic El Fogón flea market on the N-332 reopened this Sunday, attracting record crowds, despite a municipal closure order and repeated attempts by the local police to seal the site. This marks the third consecutive Sunday the market has defied the City Council’s efforts, with the family that owns the 30,000-square-metre complex insisting that operations will continue until a court rules on their request for precautionary measures in their legal challenge against the closure.
Visitors from across the Vega Baja region, the province, and neighbouring Murcia flocked to the market, causing long queues and overcrowded parking. With over 150 stalls, El Fogón offers an eclectic mix of goods, ranging from fishing rods, DIY tools, and household items to antique cameras, toys, bicycles, and secondhand clothing. A few stalls even sell fresh produce and cooked meals, complemented by cafe and restaurant services. The market thrives on a cash-based circular economy, giving discarded or secondhand items a second life at affordable prices.
The market’s legal team claims the closure order is effectively suspended, citing procedural issues, including an alleged missed enforcement deadline and the fact that it was signed by a councillor they claim lacks the authority to order a closure. The site itself is earmarked for large-scale urban development, with plans for over 2,000 homes on more than 500,000 square metres of land. Market owners allege pressure from developers has influenced the City Council’s renewed closure efforts, though they insist they are not opposed to the development.
Mayor José Luis Sáez (PSOE) confirmed the closure order remains in effect but said he would avoid escalating tensions. The local police have continued to seal the market’s access points, only for the seals to be removed by market staff before opening and replaced after closing. Sáez emphasized that he will not deploy officers early on Sunday mornings or request judicial assistance from the Civil Guard, choosing instead to wait for the court’s decision.
El Fogón is unlike other markets in the region, offering visitors a unique mix of bargains, collectibles, and community spirit. Its resilience over 30 years, combined with its popularity among locals and tourists, underscores the challenge the City Council faces in enforcing the closure. Until the courts decide, the market appears set to continue drawing crowds every Sunday, balancing legal uncertainty with its enduring cultural and economic role in Guardamar.
Attendance continues to grow, making El Fogón one of the region’s most popular weekend destinations, even amid controversy.
