Dry season to end

POPULAR beach bars are all expected to be under starter’s orders in Jávea by next weekend – ending a dry spell for drinkers.

The five ‘chiringuitos’ along the seafront between the town’s port and Arenal beach, and other summer beach concessions such as sun loungers and umbrellas - have been notable by their absence this summer following delays in the licensing process.

And emails and phone calls have poured in to the CBNews from people worried the seasonal treats were being scrapped this year.

Jávea town hall has confirmed the beach bars will start being erected from today (Friday) and will soon be back in business.

Delays were caused in being awarded permission from the government’s coastal department and the tender process to run the various concessions over the next four years; the profitable schemes triggering a scramble of bids for the 2018 to 2022 cycle.

Councillor Kika Mata said the town hall had attempted to deal with the bids to operate concessions as quickly as possible but civil servant still had to follow strict regulations and check documentation was valid.

And record offers were made to run the beach bars; which had a starting price of €15,000 a year. The pitch for a bar nearest the Arenal was secured for more than €85,000, substantially higher than the annual rent of €70,000 paid over the last four years