In November 2007, Ibizan authorities passed a law forcing the legendary party island’s clubs to close between 6am and midday. Trashbags everywhere wept amyl, as anyone who’s spent time in Ibiza knows its daytime events are some of the most popular to take place.

Just how crippling is this day clubbing ban for the party paradise? Who better to tell us than Ben Korbel, editor of ITM’s Ibiza section for the summer of 2007 and a key player in mighty day/night institution We Love Sundays at Space.

Before we turn to doom and gloom, how was the 2007 season in Ibiza? Strong as ever?

The 2007 season was possibly the busiest in the past six or seven years. So I would say stronger than ever. Cocoon, Carl Cox and We Love Space all had record attendance.

Obviously the 6am-midday club ban will affect Space, and the night you’re affiliated with, We Love Sundays. Did you feel this was only a matter of time?

We’d known about the changes coming into effect for some time. The authorities and new local government want to stamp their vision for the island so that was no immediate surprise. Regulation seems to catch up with everywhere eventually (unfortunately). If you want to party all morning you can still go to Berlin…

We Love Sundays can stretch for up to 22 hours. Does these kind of endurance-testing opening hours seem to immediately make authorities suspicious?

I think it was more the fact that the government want to maintain a respectable image for Ibiza. Clubbers are leaving clubs as locals are going to work or children are going to school (and driving on the roads in these times). It’s not a great look, or safe. Fair enough in some respects. Most clubbers do not stay out for 22 hours, especially with places like Space Sundays. The morning crowd often leave after midday and then an afternoon crowd roll up. And after that comes the evening crowd who stay all night.

The day club thing is an interesting phenomenon in itself – in Australia 6am till midday is pretty much off limits unless you’re at a seedy dive. Now in Europe it’s like the morning after is more important than the night itself, and it isn’t odd for a headliner to play at 8am. Is that down to a difference in mentality?

I don’t think it’s so much in the mentality as in the regulation. NSW is inherently conservative with all its licencing and policing compared to Europe – and even compared to Victoria. That possibly breeds a certain style of scene, whereby recoveries don’t flourish in places like Sydney.

What are your thoughts on government leader Xico Tarres’ comment that day-clubs attract a “low quality of tourist”?

It’s rubbish. Ibiza is fast becoming an alternative destination to places like San Tropez: Mediterranean hot spots for glamorous people with loads of cash to wave around. Long gone are the days showcased by documentaries like Ibiza Uncovered of Ibiza being a trashy, cheap holiday for English louts. Ibiza now marketed and seen as a more “hippie” San Tropez, a little like Byron Bay – celebrities and rich hippies wearing designer labels. These people spend loads of money and make up for most of the tourism on the island. P-Diddy hangs out at DC10 in the day and is a poster boy for island holiday lifestyle for the rich and famous. I’m sure he’ll be fuming in his crib at the new legislation.

Day-clubs are great fun for the party-minded, but do you think there’s some validity to the claim that their existence makes Ibiza a less ‘livable’ place?

The ambulance authorities actually argued against the new legislation, claiming it is harder to manage people taking drugs in their houses (if they have to come home to kick-on rather than go out). Put them in a club with security and medical officers and it is possible to look after these people. Ibiza is a large island and it is not as if 5000 gurners are wandering around the streets at midday disturbing the peace. I don’t believe day clubs spoil quality of life for anybody.

So, looking to the future, how do you think this ban might affect Ibiza in 2008?

Aside from people having to go home at 6am, I don’t see a huge change for Ibiza 2008. People will still party in the day, from midday. They’ll possibly smell less and have had a shower!

And how might it specifically affect We Love Sundays?

Carl Cox at Space has the same turnover as We Love Sundays, but does it in a third of the time frame. We Love is as strong as it’s ever been and people will adapt and happily party in a slightly compressed time window.