Velez-Malaga Chiringuitos want to open all year round for trade

Owners of beach restaurants in Velez-Malaga want to be able to open all year round. The local town hall also wants the ‘chiringuitos’ to remain in their current location and if necessary, be redesigned so that they will be able to open in the winter.

They are currently looking at different models so that all ‘chiringuitos’ will have a similar appearance. There are 24 ‘chiringuitos’ on the town’s 22 kilometres of beaches.

The mayor, Francisco Delgado Bonilla, explained “we want quality ‘chiringuitos’, made out of natural materials, so they are attractive in summer and cozy in winter”.

He met with the owners to discuss refurbishing their premises to make them more permanent, and said that the town hall will attempt to request grants from the Sustainable Tourism Initiative as well as other sources.

“Chiringuitos are part of local economy, and not only create jobs but also attract tourists” he said.

Their main priority is for them to remain on the sand, as long as they do so in a reasonable way and respect the environment, although the Coastal Department does not currently allow it.

“We want an exception to be made for us, the same as in Marbella or Estepona. If the Junta has the jurisdiction over environmental matter, it should to be to make things easier, not to create obstacles. If the Coastal Law has to be changed, then change it” Delgado Bonilla commented.

He plans to hold talks with the Junta de Andalucia and find a way for the ‘chiringuitos’ to remain on the coast.