THE LAST BEACH BARS in Orihuela Costa have been dismantled while waiting for the new tender to be published. The chiringuitos, which closed on 1st January 2023 and remained out of service during the summer season, will be removed and placed into storage pending the award of new contracts in 2024.
Orihuela City council reached an agreement with the previous concessionaire to move the structure of the beach bars to a warehouse, partially dismantling the two remaining chiringuitos on Cala La Caleta in Cabo Roig and Cala Bosque in La Zenia this past Tuesday.
According to municipal sources quoted by news outlet “La Verdad” on Wednesday, Orihuela town hall agreed with the previous operator of the beach bars, Chiringuitos del Sol, to partially dismantle and remove these beach bars.
The town hall provided the heavy machinery, with representatives of Chiringuitos del Sol providing the labour to dismantle the structure, as no other company had the experience or knowledge required to complete the task. The structures of the two bars are expected to be removed to a local municipal storage facility.
Orihuela Costa Chiringuitos to return Easter 2024
According to La Verdad, the Coastal Department of Orihuela town hall is working to restructure the expired contracts inherited from the previous local government, following last year's decision not to grant an extension to the contract beyond the end of 2022.
The news outlet revealed that the Coastal Department intends to divide the future replacement contract for beach services across Orihuela Costa's eleven beaches into five parts (one contract for the provision of nautical sports) rather than award a single contract as they have done previously.
The distribution of the contracts will be geographical to minimise the need for travel. A clause will be included in the bidding process so that bidders can only secure a maximum of two contracts of the five on offer.
The town hall will adjust the fees payable under each contract so that those beach bars estimated to generate the most income, such as the chiringuitos in La Zenia and Cabo Roig, cost more. Bars on less popular beaches such as Punta Prima or Aguamarina are expected to benefit from cheaper contractual fees.
The bidding process and official awarding of contracts will take place in early 2024, with the much-loved chiringuitos expected to return to the beaches of Orihuela Costa at Easter next year.
Looking for holiday ideas and travel inspiration? Find out more about our favourite recommended things to do on the Orihuela Costa or join the La Zenia community Facebook group and find out what's going on in the local area.
Photo credit: Michael Poetschke
