Groups of diners ate in darkness as several restaurants in Madrid's Plaza Mayor cut their power to combat rising electricity bills.

Footage from November 8 shows the power going out as people were eating their dinners. Waiters then placed candles on each table.

La subida del precio de la electricidad ha llevado a muchos establecimientos de hostelería a ver cómo el importe de su factura se multiplica, una realidad que preocupa mucho a un sector que ya ha organizado acciones de protestas. En Madrid hubo un apagado simbólico en la Plaza Mayor a las 19.00 horas

La hostelería está altamente preocupada por el descenso de la rentabilidad, es un problema muy serio», ha subrayado en declaraciones a Efe el presidente de la patronal, José Luis Yzuel. Les llegan facturas eléctricas que triplican las de hace un año y que dejan a muchos empresarios con muy poco margen y sin saber cuánto van a poder aguantar.


Blackout in the hospitality industry in Madrid, due to the rise in the electricity bill


The rise in the price of electricity has led many catering establishments to see how the amount of their bill multiplies, a reality that is very worrying to a sector that has already organized protest actions. In Madrid there was a symbolic shutdown in the Plaza Mayor at 7:00 p.m.

The hotel industry is highly concerned about the decline in profitability, it is a very serious problem, “the president of the employers’ association, José Luis Yzuel, stressed in statements to Efe. They receive electricity bills that triple those of a year ago and that leave many entrepreneurs with very little margin and without knowing how much they will be able to endure.