THE SUMMER STARTS HERE

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An uncertain future loomed over the Orihuela Costa at the start of the year; as the contract for providing beach bars on the coast was due to expire.

An uncertain future lay ahead, as the councillor for the beaches set about putting the work to tender, but the process was halted by the Mayor, due to a number of questions relating to the award of the work, not least the value assigned to the contract, and so, in 2013, the company who have already been providing the service to tourists and residents alike have been asked to continue.

But to say that “normal service resumes” would not go anywhere near describing the presence of the beach bars this year, as Thomas Herteux of Chiringuitos Del Sol, explains, “we have invested nearly 50 thousand euro in updating some of the fixtures on the beach this year”, with the emphasis on providing a “quality” service to those who enjoy the facilities on the coast.

The sun-beds have all been renewed, as have most of the parasols, and the beach toilets have been renewed to make them more economical and water efficient.

Considering the fact that the contract extension is just for another year and is likely to be put back out to tender at the end of this season, with no guarantee that the current company will be allowed to continue, one would be right to question the value of such an investment as the 50 thousand which has been spent, but Thomas continues to explain that “we have to”, but not because it may form part of the contract of indeed provide any assurances for the future, but because the company feels it is, “important to invest money to maintain the quality of service”.

The management of the beach bars also goes much further than many may consider. It is not simply a case of building a hut on the beach and selling the odd drink or two, but the contractor is also solely responsible for all beach related activities, as well as the quality standards required by the accreditations.

This year, Thomas and his team are working hard to achieve top rankings in the Spanish National quality awards, as well as the locally provided standards being implemented by the municipal town hall, all with the emphasis on the key word, “quality”.

There will be a welcome return to the Beach Volleyball competition, as well as the Jet Skis, banana boats, foot showers and security lockers, but the team are also looking into providing ashtrays for smokers, to enable the safe and hygienic disposal of their smoking waste.

Not forgetting the high standard of training that every member of the team has, with their extensive local knowledge, as well as being able to provide assistance and advice on where to go, what to see and who to meet, plus the backdrop of being on hand in the event of an emergency.

Keeping the beaches clean and cared for and giving ownership to the residents is another new initiative, with teams of residents and tourists being invited to take part in community led initiatives such as beach clean-ups, all with the incentive of free drinks, as well as doing your bit for the society, because, “everybody has an obligation to make the best of the coast and improve the quality”, Thomas suggests, whilst in a unique position to extend his reach into the heart of those who want to be a part of their own community.

The bars themselves will be as well stocked with food and drink as ever, but with new products on the horizon, the first being a drink called “Hugo”, which is set to replace the popular Mojito as the drink of the high living society.

There are other surprises lined up for the summer, for which we have been sworn to secrecy so far, but what we can tell you is that they are all for the good of the coast, to be enjoyed by the young and the not so, with that same “quality” angle that Thomas is so passionate about, and will make the beaches of the Orihuela Costa even more the envy of neighbouring towns, flying the flag of quality and raising the bar for others to try to compete, and long may it continue, as attention to detail matters and quality counts.

You can find out more information about the Orihuela Costa Chiringuitos at the website www.chiringuitosdelsol.com, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chiringuitosdelsol, as well as other social network sites where their presence is almost institutional.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/38427/

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