ARRECIFE COUNCIL ORDERED TO PAY €350,000 OVER BILLY CAPERS CIRCUS FAIR
The Ayuntamiento de Arrecife has been ordered by a court to pay €350,000 to the company behind La Fabulosa Feria de Billy Capers, along with legal interest and court costs. The ruling concerns the circus-themed fair held in Arrecife in September 2025 and has renewed attention on how public events are commissioned and paid for in Lanzarote.
A court decision over a major event
The claim was brought by Fuerteventura Promociones y Producciones S.L., which sought payment for services connected with the fair. The court found that the services had been arranged and delivered and that payment had not been made. Its ruling relies on the legal principle of unjust enrichment, which can apply where services have been provided and a party has benefited without paying for them.
The event, known as La Fabulosa Feria de Billy Capers, took place at the Ginory site beside the Charco de San Ginés in Arrecife. The case has become a significant local story because of the amount involved and questions surrounding the administrative process.
Why the council disputes the ruling
Arrecife Town Hall has argued that no formal administrative contract was completed and that the necessary steps for authorising public expenditure were not finalised. The council has also questioned the valuation of the amount claimed and whether the benefit received by the municipality was properly demonstrated.
The mayor, Yonathan de León, has ordered an appeal against the judgment. That means the legal dispute is not necessarily over, and the final outcome may depend on the appeal process. The €350,000 figure is the amount specified in the current ruling, with interest and legal costs also at issue.
What does this mean for residents?
For people living in Lanzarote, the case raises wider questions about transparency, public spending and the procedures used when local authorities organise or support events. Large festivals and family attractions can bring activity to a town, provide entertainment and support nearby businesses. However, residents are also entitled to expect clear agreements and proper financial controls when public money may be involved.
The appeal will be important in determining how the court’s decision stands and how the arguments raised by the council are resolved. Until the legal process progresses further, it is important to distinguish the current judgment from the final outcome of any appeal.
Why the story matters to visitors
Arrecife is Lanzarote’s capital and an important destination for visitors exploring the island beyond the main resort areas. The Billy Capers case is a local government and court story rather than a change to ordinary tourist arrangements. Visitors can continue to explore the capital’s waterfront, shops, cafés and the area around Charco de San Ginés as usual, while following local updates for any future developments connected with public events.
Keeping up with Lanzarote news
This case highlights why local news from Lanzarote matters to both residents and holidaymakers. Decisions about public events, municipal budgets and court cases can have implications for how towns plan activities and manage public resources. We will follow developments as further information becomes available, including any updates on the appeal.
