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north EDITION Young lion hearts
Your English Newspaper
15 - 21 April 2011
Sea lions at Benidorm’s MundoMar won the hearts of youngsters from the Preventoria Infantil de Gandia as they enjoyed a sunshine outing to the resort p7
Time to get out A Personal Story
Saturday morning began, for the residents of Vernissa Park, Benigembla, quite uneventfully p20
An alliance of services
What is it that makes a successful business woman – Commitment? Creativity? Empathy? Confidence? Integrity? p31
Responsible rentals
Once again a mixed bag of property related headlines this month across Spain with reports that foreign investment in Spanish property went up 2.9% in 2010 despite the increase in VAT from July onwards, to 3.757€ million, after falling 31.5% in 2009 p36
Where are they all? We are now in the middle of what our local golf courses consider “ High Season” p63
Issue 600
Storm over coastal law by Jack Troughton
A STORM of protest continues to rage over the clampdown under the controversial coastal law with claims Spain’s valuable tourist industry will suffer and unemployment rise. Restaurants and bars were this week ordered to remove tables and umbrellas from public areas next to the sea under the ‘Ley de Costas’ – a piece of national legislation designed to protect the coast. Angry business owners already hit by the economic downturn say they face ruin unless steps are taken to help them ride out the crisis and maximise earnings during the holiday season. And visitors to one Costa Blanca resort were left baffled as they lost the opportunity for a Shirley Turning back Valentine-type experience the pages – eating and drinking next – Geoff Gartland, to the Mediterranean. RTN’s RTN readers will be aware of Managing Director, holds the much publicised threats to the ever popular beach issue one bars – the ‘chiringuitos’ – that have been widely reported in the press. However, this week and just by Jack Troughton days before the start of the RTN REACHES a proud milestone today (Friday) as issue 600 comes off the press Easter rush, Javea’s Mayor and hits the streets as one of the largest and most recognisable English newspa- Eduardo Montfort brought pers in Spain. matters to a head when he Now in its 12th year, the paper has constantly evolved since its launch in October ordered the removal of the 1999 when it was available as a ‘paid for’ title. offending furniture outside restaurants after a formal Turn the page to read the full story.
Celebrate a happy 600th edition
complaint from the coastal authorities. He said local police officers would enforce the town hall’s ruling and ruled the council would insure “illegal” occupation of public land would cease – with lorries standing by to remove furniture. And he maintains Javea would lose its coveted Blue Flag awards if the “encroachment” on land bordering the sea was allowed to continue. Warning letters were issued to businesses along Avenida Marina Espanola in Javea Port and also at the Arenal beach. Comments posted on Javea’s online newsletter ‘Xabiaaldia’ are mixed – some in favour of insuring the public areas remained open to all, others calling for the protection of the tourist industry and employment in the town. In previous years businessmen have been allowed to keep operating in the prime sites by paying a fine into public coffers. Now confrontation seems certain. But local politicians are calling for urgent round the table talks between businessmen, the town hall, and Madrid. Continued on page 3
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