This Monday, demolition activities commenced on the two most iconic beach restaurants at Playa Babilonia in Guardamar del Segura. The Restaurante Jaime Playa closed its doors on Friday after a long history of over thirty years of service, following an order from Costas to cut off water and electricity supplies. The restaurant, located in prime beachfront territory, has become a symbol of local hospitality and served thousands of visitors over the years.

The Ministry for Ecological Transition has justified the demolition, stating that it is part of a larger operation that includes more than sixty demolitions planned for next month, due to the absence of valid public domain concessions for the structures in question. Despite initial indications that only preparations would take place this week, an extensive team arrived on site, leading to the actual demolition proceeding swiftly.

The abrupt closure of Jaime Playa has left numerous employees, primarily seasonal staff, without jobs just ahead of the busy holiday weekend. The restaurant’s management has been in legal contention with authorities, attempting to appeal the decision and arguing that they maintained a valid concession up until the final moments. However, court measures to preserve the building were not granted, leading to the immediate execution of the demolition by Costas.

The action on Jaime Playa is part of a series of planned demolitions along the coast, aimed at restoring the beach area. While some property owners have enjoyed the continued use of their buildings, they now face the challenge of fighting against these legislative changes. Observers note that the push to restore the beach comes amid ongoing debates about environmental changes and coastal management, particularly regarding a decline linked to infrastructure changes related to the local river.