The chiringuito (beach bar) owners in Huelva province are once again requesting all-year opening after a summer in which income will be down by as much as fifty percent according to some forecasts.
Many chiringuitos are purely battling to cover their expenses, blaming lower than normal temperatures in combination with the continuing financial crisis. Domestic tourism has apparently taken a bit of a tumble this year according to some reports, although international tourism is slightly up on last year.
The owners want the possibility to open throughout the year, not just during the summer months. Since 2010, the Junta de Andalucia has been working on regularising the bars with a view to year round opening, but we all know the political cogs do not turn at any great pace in such matters.
New licencing requirements for year round opening so far include a maximum occupied space of 150 square metres, at least 200 metres between establishments and numerous hoops to be jumped through relating to the environment, location and other criteria.