Table for one!

Costa bars and restaurants claim to be 'victimised' and 'ignored' by the de-escalation plan

THE HOSPITALITY sector in Benidorm have been putting up ‘se traspasa’ (for lease) posters in their windows in protest at the lack of clarity and the turmoil they are facing due to the lockdown.

Now with the province in phase two of the exit plan, which allows for a limited number of customers, many owners claim that they are being victimised and fined for breaches on their terraces.

The sector claims that around €700 million could be lost and thousands of workers laid off.

One of the organisers of the campaign in Benidorm, the Pinnocchio restaurant on the Levante promenade, symbolically reserved a table for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, inviting him to come and listen to the worries and struggles of many in the sector and seek solutions after the Covid-19 crisis is over.

National television station Antena 3 came to record the invitation to the government – an initiative repeated across the country to emphasise the importance of the hospitality and tourism sector to Spain's GDP, and so deserves to be listened to.

False hope

For some bars in Benidorm, May 11 was a day to rejoice, for they were allowed to re-open, albeit at only 50% of the capacity of their outside terraces – but no customers inside.

Unsurprisingly the majority decided to remain closed claiming the measures and restrictions that needed to be in place made it unviable for them to trade.

Along Calle Gerona, three popular bars – Andy's Jumping Jacks, Rock Star and Memories - all have large terraces so did open and were exceptionally busy on that first day.

Two weeks on trade had slowed down considerably but is now non-existent as they say they have been ordered to close by the authorities for having the 'incorrect licence'. Andy's, Uncle Ped's and Rock Star were closed last Friday and on Monday so were Memories and Jumping Jacks.

All establishments had to put in an application to reopen, so they argue it is a total mystery as to why they were allowed to open on May 11, inspected to ensure they were adhering to the strict hygiene and social distancing regulations, and remained open for a further two weeks.

There has been heated debate over the type of licences that these establishments had

– bar, pub, café or club. Whether those that held a pub licence had to close or whether it was a phase two issue remains unclear.

According to sources, back in 2018 there was a change in regulations by the Valencian government which required many licences to be changed.

At a time when businesses in Benidorm are already struggling and on their knees, this worsens their situation even further.

CBNews tried to contact the town hall for comment, but were unable to get a reply before going to print.