Ceuta closes the sanctioning proceedings for stall 64 of the San José Market

The Councilor for Health and Social Services of the Autonomous City of Ceuta, Nabila Benzina Pavón, has agreed to the dismissal and archiving of the sanctioning proceedings opened against the holder of stall number 64 of the San José Market. The resolution, published in the Official Gazette of the Autonomous City of Ceuta (BOCCE) number 6,647, dated August 28, 2026, also accepts the concessionaire’s resignation and declares the stall vacant, opening the way for a new award.

The proceedings were initiated by Decree No. 2026/3768, dated April 15, 2026, against Mr. Juan Antonio Torres, holder of stall 64, for the alleged commission of a serious infringement of the Market Regulations, as the stall was found to be closed for more than three months without justified cause. Competence regarding markets corresponds to the Department of Health and Social Services, in accordance with the Presidential Decree of June 23, 2023 (Extraordinary BOCCE No. 42).

Resignation and dismissal

Following the notification of the initiation of the proceedings on April 20, 2026, Mr. Juan Antonio Torres submitted a generic request for resignation from the ownership of the stall on April 23. The report from the Market Manager, dated April 28, 2026, verified the documentation and justified the dismissal of the procedure as the cause that led to its initiation no longer existed.

The resolution expressly provides:

• To accept the resignation from stall number 64 submitted by Mr. Juan Antonio Torres in his capacity as holder.
• To proceed with the dismissal and archiving of the sanctioning procedure.
• To declare stall number 64 of the San José Market vacant.
• To publish the declaration of vacancy in the BOCCE for due notice.

Regulatory framework

The action is based on Organic Law 1/1995, which approves the Statute of Autonomy of the City of Ceuta, and Law 7/1985, on the Bases of Local Regime, which assigns municipalities competence over fairs, supplies, markets, fish markets, and street vending. The Market Regulations, approved by Plenary agreement on January 21, 1998, define markets as public domain assets assigned to a public service for the retail sale of basic food items.

Article 18 of the Regulations includes written notice by the holder among the causes for the termination of concessions, while Article 19 requires the stall to be vacated free of merchandise and in perfect condition. Law 39/2015, on Common Administrative Procedure, regulates withdrawal and resignation in Article 94, which the Administration accepts outright unless interested third parties urge the continuation of the procedure.

Vacant stall and new award

With the declaration of vacancy, stall number 64 of the Mercado de San José becomes available for a new award in accordance with the concession regime of the Markets Regulations. The resolution, digitally signed in Ceuta on August 20, 2026, exhausts the administrative route and may be appealed for reversal before the same body within one month or challenged before the Contentious-Administrative Court of Ceuta within two months.

The decision closes a sanctioning procedure opened due to the prolonged closure of the stall and, at the same time, releases a concession in one of the city’s municipal supply markets. For readers, the news means that a sales stall in the Mercado de San José is available, which may be of interest to merchants and operators in the food sector aspiring to a new municipal concession.

Source: Official Gazette of the Autonomous City of Ceuta (BOCCE), no. 6,647, August 28, 2026, Other Provisions and Agreements, page 3282 (official reference: Decree 605).