Sun, sand, sea – and too many sun-beds in Benidorm

NOT so many people are hiring sun-beds and parasols on Benidorm’s beaches this year. So why do there appear to be more than ever, residents and tourists are asking?

Anyone wanting to lie on their own sun-bed, sit in their own deckchair and pitch their own parasol is free to do so.  But they can only use the areas left free by the R A Benidorm, the firm contracted to provide the beach service. 

Forty per cent of available space on the Levante and Poniente beaches is occupied by the firm. 

There are 4,600 sun-beds set out in 10 separate zones on the Levante beach, while Poniente has 1,700. Of the 18,800 square metres that the firm pays to occupy, 13,800 are located on the Levante beach.

There are no more sun-beds than in other years, insisted both Beaches councillor Vicente Juan Ivorra and R A Benidorm. And revenue from the sun-beds and parasols finances beach cleaning, Ivorra reminded the grumblers.