Around 100 beach ‘chiringuitos’ in Almeria province are still listed as ‘illegal’ although every effort is being made to rectify the situation.
Seven bars in Roquetas de Mar have already submitted the relevant paperwork to become legal and many others are in progress.
Establishments must have an area of 150 square metres and there are now around 30 new regulations relating to disabled access, hygiene and health and kitchen facilities. The changes have, in general, been welcomed by the owners of the chiringuitos as legalising their status will give them a 15 year concession with the option of a further 15 years in most cases.
However, it is not expected that the concessions will be finalised before October of this year, which means that the necessary reforms and adaptation of premises cannot be carried out until after this time.
It is hoped, however, that all the establishments will be up and running and legal by the summer of 2011.