One of Benidorm´s most popular venues – The Showboat has a new captain steering the ship. Wayne, aka Miss Levi has handed over the reigns to Karen and Mick Coburn – the new owners, but rest assured, Wayne and Des are still onboard. They will continue working and performing – and will be joined by Karen’s three gorgeous daughters Abby, Hayley and Danielle.
They officially took over last week – on 1st June and I met up with the family to see what the future holds. Firstly, I can certainly agree with what Wayne said about the new owners – you really couldn’t hope to find a nicer and more sincere couple to continue the legacy of Showboat. Karen would like to assure everyone that the high standards and service, which Wayne insisted on, will continue.
The hospitality business is new to them – back in the UK Karen worked in human resources and Mick ran a haulage company. Like most people they yearned of living the dream, upping sticks – which happened to be Essex and moving to the sun. Benidorm is a place that they loved, having been numerous times on holiday and on their last trip paid their usual visit to Showboat for a first class meal. They got talking with Wayne and discovered he was looking to sell – and they are now the proud new owners. The girls hadn´t even seen it and Karen was a little nervous how they would take it, but they jumped at the opportunity – lets face it, who wouldn´t!
Abby is responsible for the Top Deck Bar and will be managing all the stag, hen and private parties and has some fabulous ideas for what would appeal to her sort of age group. Hayley will deal with the day-to-day running and admin side of things whilst Danielle will be front of house – they certainly make a great team.
The restaurant menu will stay exactly the same but they are looking at perhaps introducing a specific children’s menu to add to the already extensive adult choices. The FREE top class evening entertainment will continue, with new acts bought in to complement and enhance the line-up. They are also keen to continue the fundraising events that Showboat is famed for – with leukemia and cancer charities very close to their hearts. They are gradually adapting to the Spanish way of life – learning that mañana doesn´t necessarily mean tomorrow, but rather “at some point in the future”! Spanish bureaucracy and paperwork can be painful as we who live here already know – but would we give it up…. NO!
Blakewell North, the team that made Benidorm ER are currently in the resort making a new documentary for channel 5. The series is about Brits living the dream and they are following the Coburn´s story – in fact, the film crew were there when I popped in to meet the family.
Karen, Mick and the girls are hosting a welcome party next Tuesday – 16th June and would like to invite everyone, be they regulars or first timers. Doors will open at 7pm and they have a fantastic lineup planned plus a delicious free buffet. Miss Levi will compere the evening as well as perform with the dream girls and also on the bill are Sister Act, Scott Michael, Stella Artois, The Rat Pack and over from the UK, Danny Tetley of Pop Idol fame. Make a note in your diary and be sure to come and show your support to this lovely family as they embark on a new and exciting chapter in their lives – and the Channel 5 film crew will also be there!