Starlite Festival licence approves 5am opening

This year's Starlite Festival, the seventh edition of the event, will start on 11 July and run for 45 days in Marbella, the organiser and the town's mayor announced jointly last week.

To avoid disputes over opening hours like last year, which saw organisers threaten to pull out, the council has classified the event as a traditional festival, which allows it to be more generous with its licensing conditions.

Starlite's lounge and after-hours area will stay open until 5am this year. The mayor thanked organisers for their renewed commitment to Marbella.