The terraces of Valencia and Costas

The Restaurant terraces on the Beach of Valencia...

 

My first knowledge of what was happening on the beach of Valencia was this summer during one of my many strolls along the promenade, all the restaurants had tables out with paper and pens asking people to sign their petition..To stop Costas taking away their terraces...people were jumping on passers-by and telling them of this fight against, what I must admit struck me as an absolute disastrous idea...Valencia are wanting to increase its tourism and improve in the tourist industry, so what are they doing...taking away one of the most popular "tourist" attractions they have..the beach restaurant terraces!.

 

Now here you can read what the local had to say about it all this weekend, when the deadline for all the covered terraces to be knocked down comes into force.... 

 

Quote: Las Provinicas.es...

Sunday 14.30hrs. 25 degrees by the sea. Mid-October, the end of the summer season, hundreds of people walk along the promenade, enjoying a chilly but sunny day, something typical of the privileged climate of Valencia.
However, yesterday looked like a storm had forced some of the Restaurants to close the doors, they will probably have lost a few thousand euros, because they had to stop waiting tables in the covered terraces that Costas is determined to take away after having allowed them a few years ago.

Those who had opted to open did not have any free tables. The people of Valencia had decided to support the bars on the first Sunday after the withdrawal of the terraces. In some restaurants the guests waited patiently for someone to finish eating to take turn. "We are over-run, now more than ever because there is less room," said a waiter while coming and going at full speed from the kitchen to the terrace. Those that have not closed, moreover, were dilapidated premises, with their covered terraces half demolished.
Others had not even begun the work: "tomorrow", they said. Hastening to the last minute time limit to yield to the demands of the Provincial Coastal Demarcation of letting locals of 150 square meters and 50 meters outdoor. 
There is great indignation, both from the innkeepers, who are spending up to 30,000 euros for breaking down the metal structure which the Coastal Authority allowed them to place in 1995, and from the customer. "We like to come several times a year, and we feel very badly about what is happening. What will happen to all these waiters? "Asked Tina, one of the customers. "Justice is not the same for everyone," said Clara.

"Does the government not realize they are hurting the people of Valencia, not the environment? These are restaurants that are on the seafront promenade, not even touching the sand. What harm do they do? "Miguel Pallardó criticized.

Some of the owners have decided to delay the demolition until after the weekend when trade calms down, in some cases the terrace they have to knock down is where they are actually working.

And there are other cases where the tenants are waiting for when the owner decides to comply with the ultimatum of Costas. "I do not think that they would risk fines for overcrowding," they say in the restaurant. Some have decided to take the required demolition to close for renovations and vacations. Casa Miralles has a sign announcing it will open its doors on November 12.

And while the waiting staff who have already lost their jobs and others who rush his final hours. "I do not know if it will pick up next year. I know that today is my last day, "said one worker, who asked to remain anonymous, while serving fast food and more food to dozens of restaurant patrons. In total, restauranteurs estimate that about 70 workers will be affected by the layoffs. Fewer tables, less customers.

Since 2007, the situation of Valencia Beach restaurants has deteriorated greatly. It was at that time when the Provincial Coastal Demarcation changed its view and began to implement a 1988 law differently from what it had done so far. So Costas premises that have become possible to build illegally. Now overwhelmed by the threat that they would not renew their leases, pending since 2008, restauranteurs have had to give in. Last August it was published in the Official Gazette of the Province that it is approved to grant an extension until 2013, with terraces of 50 square meters and 150 meters local.

But restaurateurs have not thrown in the towel. They know that to fight against the administration is very complicated. In addition, most of whom have faced Costas have ended up losing the battle. "We're going to try, because it is our business, we have more than half a century old history, long before it reached the Coastal Act that now allows us to install terraces," says one of the hoteliers. The lawyer for the owners moved that the request for the renewal of concessions is to have 300 square meters.
"There is no right to this injustice. If the leaders do not support us, what we have? "Complained one of the owners, who already feels tired of lawsuits, meetings or writing. "We serve food to people, thats all we want to do. And to provide jobs, because we are entrepreneurs, "he said.

 

 

Now after my stroll along the beach that day, I returned to my local bar and started chatting with the owner and saying how ridiculous it all seems and that I couldn´t see any reason in favour of the Costas wanting to take away such a positive thing for Valencia... only to be told a "second" side to the story.....

The restaurants on the beach were all built a certain set size, and they put tables and chairs outside making outdoor terraces...then.... they covered in those terraces and made them part of the restaurant and..... put more table and chairs outside. So a 150m square restaurant with outside terrace, was now a 200m square restaurant with outside terrace! The owner of my local said, if he puts just one table and chairs outside his bar he gets fined! Now if these restaurants are allowed to continue as they are, whats to say if in another 10 years they cover over these outdoor terraces and put more tables and chairs outside again?

So basically by covering in their terraces they have ilegally extended their restaurants, and have the bonus of outdoor terraces again as well.

 

So I have to say, I am glad I did not sign any petitions, this is a lot more complicated than just Costas wanting to take away the terraces! But it does highlight once again the Spanish legal system, they seem to overlook so many things and then eventually someone decides to look back over it all and start enforcing the laws.

 

Outdoor terraces on the beach are a good thing! but it has to be done correctly and be fair to everyone!