This Easter, visitors and residents of Torrevieja will not find chiringuitos available along the beaches. The absence of these popular refreshment stalls is due to a delay in the concession bidding process for seasonal food and drink services. The tender notice was published earlier this month on the Public Sector Contracting Portal, with bids closing on Monday, the twenty-fourth of March.

A total of ten chiringuitos are available for bidding, spread across three beaches, including seven at La Mata. Each chiringuito must adhere to specific size limitations and must also include necessary facilities like restroom modules. Successful bidders will need to remove their structures at the end of each season, which runs from mid-March to the end of October.

The late start to the season is evident, as bids will only be reviewed following the closing deadline. The local council aims to attract a diverse range of bidders by restricting each to a single concession. Unlike other municipalities, Torrevieja has set a standard fee for the use of these establishments, which is at least eight thousand and sixty euros per year.

With expectations of generating a minimum of three hundred and twenty-two thousand euros over the four-year contract, the potential revenue is significant. Residents who recall last year’s experiences will remember that approvals delayed the opening of chiringuitos until the end of March, due to environmental checks to protect vulnerable species in the area.