British holidaymakers could see the first €5 pint in Spain’s Benidorm on the Costa Blanca as bars fight for survival

British holidaymakers could see the first €5 pint in Spain’s Benidorm on the Costa Blanca as bars fight for survival.

HOLIDAY favourite Benidorm is known for its cheap beer, but with capacity restrictions meaning only 50 per cent of terraces can be served, many businesses may have no choice but to up prices.

Luxury bars in particular look likely to hike the cost of a pint to cover overheads with limited capacity, and follow in the footsteps of France where beer is expensive.

A high-end bar owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Euro Weekly News: “I can’t see how my business can survive without price increases to compensate for capacity reductions.

“Whilst I know I’m not going to get British tourists for a while, looking at the media and government statements, I have no option but to increase my margins to survive.”

He said this includes food and drink.

“People pay €5 or more for a pint when they go to France, so should expect to pay it when they come to the delightful Benidorm.

“We are the Puerto Banus and the St Tropez of the Costa Blanca.”

While it’s not likely to go down well with everyone, some regulars to the resort understand why it might be necessary.

Nicky Popple and partner Jimmy Danfo holiday in Benidorm two or three times a year, and insist they will keep doing so after the crisis.

Nicky told EWN: “It’s a fair comment. I would rather come to Benidorm and have bars and restaurants open than them have to close.

“Jimmy will just have to drink a bit less, which will do him good. But seriously, it’s about quality, not quantity, and we have to do what we can to support businesses.”

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Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

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