'It's all or nothing'

Restaurateurs complain about indiscriminate fining and demolition threats. Tourists want to enjoy the sunshine and dine al fresco, and those who don't grumble that bar-owners block the pavements with their tables and chairs. Jávea council has gone from zero-tolerance of bars infringing on the public walkway to turning a blind eye altogether...

By Samantha Kett
JUST a few months after Jávea council threatened to pull down the fixed terrace of Bar President on the Arenal beach, leaving the owners of other eateries with fixed terraces fearing for their livelihood, the issue has come to nothing.

Jávea's tripartite government, made up of the BLOC-Centristes, PP and CpJ have now, it seems, turned a blind eye to the numerous bars and restaurants whose premises edge into the public walkway - mainly because nobody knows where the boundary really is.

Some critics claim that the council's about-turn from zero-tolerance to laissez-faire is leading other bars - as well as collapsible beach bars that are set up in summer - to take advantage and gradually edge out onto public walkways, their tables and chairs occupying more square metres than they pay taxes for.

Read more in this week's Costa Blanca News edition