Bulldozers demolish iconic BereBere chiringuito in Torre del Mar after 18 years

José María Alba expressed deep sadness as excavators reduced his chiringuito beach bar to rubble early on Tuesday, June 16. An 18-year-old establishment in Torre del Mar had been happily serving meals and gatherings beside the sea in the Axarquia area of Malaga. Alba shared footage showing the demolition and voiced his sense of abandonment by the local Tenencia de Alcadia.

Owner blames local officials for lack of backing

Alba claimed national coastal authorities had agreed in principle to a relocation nearby. He stated the local government body had failed to support this move, resulting in the enforced demolition after permits expired. His business had offered lunches, snacks and parties on the beach for nearly two decades.

Council defends action by reciting national coastal legislation

Spain’s Ley de Costas places the entire shoreline public domain under national control and not local councils’. Concessions require competitive bidding and technical approval from the national Demarcacion de Costas office. Local bodies hold no authority for direct awards on this land. Torre del Mar officials said the chiringuito enjoyed an exceptional extension lasting 18 years. They stressed that backing businesses must respect the rules and legal security. Coastal decisions on public land belong to central authorities in Madrid.

Job losses lead to accusations of favouritism

Dozens of workers now face unemployment. Some 54 staff worked in summer, while 30 held year-round posts. Social media posts from supporters accused local leaders of favouring connected entrepreneurs over established employers. Messages suggested residents would remember the events of this in the May 2027 elections. Council statements have not ruled out legal steps to correct inaccurate claims.

Venue built reputation for quality dining and recovery

Chiringuito BereBere earned praise for food that combined traditional beach dishes with refined cooking, admired by top Andalusian chefs. Its location aided Torre del Mar’s appeal to diners seeking quality seaside meals. Owners and staff overcame a 2018 fryer fire that damaged the premises. Rapid repairs let the business reopen shortly after.