beach bars dispute
A visit to Malaga confirmed the Coasts Department’s change of stance
02.07.09 - 14:24 -
MALAGA. The officials from the Government and the Junta inspected a new stretch of promenade. / C.M.
The situation of the Costa del Sol’s chiringuitos became even clearer at the end of last week following a visit by the Secretary General for the Sea, Juan Carlos Martín Fragueiro, the very same government official who sparked the whole controversy on another visit several months ago. Last Friday’s meeting in the Government office with Fragueiro was the final proof that the stance of the Coasts Department has changed.
Now the authorities are only considering moving a bar or restaurant if there is physically space on the adjoining land and if an agreement is reached with the owners.
“The aim is to find a happy balance between the services provided by these establishments and the beaches being open for use by the general public”, he added.
Agreements
The Secretary of State added that his department has carried out a study of the situation of the establishments, and in some cases “agreements have already been reached with the owners”.
The report produced by the department will now be analysed by the newly formed ‘chiringuitos’ commission made up by representatives of the different authorities and business owners.
Meanwhile the Coasts Department has promised to speed up the authorisation process for those bars and restaurants whose licences are still pending.
Meanwhile Norberto del Castillo, President of the Federation of Beach Business Owners, expressed his satisfaction at the latest announcements. “It seems that at last things are moving in the right direction”, he said.
While the Coasts Department continues to be in charge at the moment, the Government has started organising the transfer of responsibility for the occupation of public maritime domain to the Junta de Andalucía, ready for 2010. This was announced in Malaga last week by Gaspar Zarrías, Secretary of State for Territorial Cooperation, who pointed out that the process would be similar to that followed in Cataluña.
