Hope for Costa del Sol chiringuitos

NEW coastal regulations have given hope to the more than 300 chiringuitos (beach-bars) on the coast that need to re-apply for permission to use the land they stand on.

The new coasts law, which will allow current occupants to have preference upon applying for new 30-year concessions on the land, has given hope to beach businesspeople who had been demanding more stability for many years.

Manuel Villafaina, head of the Association of Costa del Sol Beach Businesspeople, explained that beach-bar owners are expected to invest an average of €250,000 per establishment, stressing: “The longer concessions will allow us to make important improvements to offer tourists and visitors a better service.”

Meetings are planned with the Junta de Andalucia regional government to enable the work to be carried out this autumn.

The new regulations should also allow more jobs to be created and give current staff more stability by allowing establishments to remain open all year round.