The iconic Benidorm Island – sometimes dubbed Peacock Island is visible from along the entire Benidorm coastline and a popular tourist attraction, visited by thousands every year. There are daily excursions during the season from the port in the old town taking just 15 minutes and you can often spot dolphins swimming alongside the boat to the delight of all onboard. Many visit the restaurant, which has been trading for the last 60 years, enjoying a drink or meal. However, it transpires that they never had a licence to operate despite openly trading and following an appeal, which was lodged in September they have lost and so now face closure.
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Many come here to Benidorm for the nightlife and to party and we thank you all for choosing this wonderful place that over the years has become home to us expats. The entertainers are second to none as most will have experienced, with a huge selection of acts to suit every taste – from tribute acts to singers and comedians. The list is endless and each is 100% professional, giving it their all each evening. Many probably think what a great life they have, working a few hours in the evening and basically lounging around all day. Perhaps some do and good luck to them, however there is one in particular that I feel warrants a special mention as he does anything but – Colin Brown or as many will know him by his alter ego Miss Coco Chanel – Queen of Visual Comedy.
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Union Jack bunting and flags are part of the furniture in Benidorm, in particular around bars in the Rincon area which is a favourite for visiting Brits. However, if you were to have read the newspaper headlines in The Sun and The Mirror at the beginning of the week you’d think that Bunting-Gate had broken out here. But British bar owner Tracey Walker has stirred up a hornets nest by claiming that local police victimised her by ordering her to take down the union jack bunting she had outside her bar, Little Britannia on Carerr Bon Retiro, just off the walking street in the Old Town or face a €800 fine. Her Facebook comment posted last week attracted over 200 comments and the red tops were quick to pick up on it – embellishing her statement with anything to fan the flames and spark anti-UK feelings here!
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The entire resort appears to be a building site at the moment, stretching from the Rincon de Loix to the Old Town with traffic diversions, diggers and workmen virtually everywhere you look. A challenging €11.4 million project to completely remodel the Avenida Mediterraneo, the main artery running through the resort has begun. The top end, at the Plaza Triangular – where the huge rubber tree is, has been closed to traffic, with cars and buses diverted whilst underground works are being carried out to renew the channeling, waste and water pipe networks.
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The annual Three Kings parade took place in Benidorm last Saturday evening (January 5), comprising of 12 floats and over 800 participants as well as bands and numerous livestock! The procession set off from Dove Park a little after the advertised 6pm start with a ‘hiccup’ when the tractor pulling the Kings float wouldn’t go, resulting in a rather long gap. It left many of the organisers running about in a panic – fortunately things got moving after about a 20 minute delay. The first part of the parade had a carnival like theme, with fun floats of cartoon characters, with dance routines and bands in between each float.
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The annual San Silvestre Christmas fun run took place in Benidorm this morning, starting along the Levante promenade then back up the Avenida Mediterraneo, attracting a good turnout of competitors and spectators. As is tradition, many wore festive fancy dress outfits and the fun runners and families, who only completed one lap of the circuit went first, before the competitive club runners – who had to complete two circuits.
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Members of the 'Free Spirits HD Harley Enthusiasts Club' roared into Albir this morning where they stopped off for a coffee at the Brew Rock Bar. It is part of their annual Christmas run - an 80km route from Pedreguer to Benidorm and a way of putting a smile on everyone's faces… which they certainly achieved. In fact, it was hard to tell who was more excited, the children seeing so many Santas or the men eager to check out the gleaming chrome!
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Following continued complaints from locals and especially the BBBA - Benidorm's British Businesses Association about unsuitable adult items visibly on sale in numerous Asian shops, police have begun to crack down. Almost 500 such items were confiscated from five shops located between Calle Gerona and Avenida Europa primarily aimed at British stag and hen groups. The haul included 380 Neon t-shirts with messages such as ‘Fuck Loud’, ‘Suck my Cock’ and ‘Lick My Pussy’, lighters with pictures of naked women, blow up body parts and other small items.
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Derren Litten, writer and creator of the ITV sitcom series ‘Benidorm’ and now Benidorm Live, the touring show has announced that he is engaging in talks to discuss “Benidorm The Movie” with film producers, which will be a movie version of the Live Show. ITV executives axed the television show this year after falling ratings, with series 10 the last – the very first was aired back in 2007. There was certainly a mixed reaction for the show, which had a marmite effect – you either loved it or hated it. But it will be a welcome relief for fans of the show, who were left heartbroken when it was confirmed that there would be no more new series made in the popular resort. Only this week workmen and skips were outside what is affectionately referred to as ‘The Pink House’ - ripping out the props which made up the reception of the fictitious Solana.
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Today was British Fancy Dress Day in Benidorm – which always takes place the day after the end of the Benidorm fiestas. Things didn’t look too good this morning as the heavens opened under dark grey skies, but fortunately, by midday it had cleared and there was even a little bit of sun poking through in between the clouds. Revellers started to appear on Calle Gerona soon after midday, which had been closed off to traffic to allow the anticipated crowds to roam freely.
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The swinging 60’s will come to life at Benidorm Palace on Sunday, November 18 for a one-night special performance of ‘Twist and Shout’ - a fast moving musical show featuring music and fashion of the era. This two hour musical extravaganza features 53 iconic songs, starting with the explosion of 1962 Brit Pop through to the Flower Power era and Free Love of the late sixties. As the literature says “When skirts got shorter and hair got longer” - where peace, love and flower power ruled the day!
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The 2018 Poppy Appeal was launched in Benidorm today and as in previous years, we had the privilege of the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums to lead the way, attracting the attention of all around. This year is particularly poignant as it marks 100 years since the end of World War I – what was supposed to be the war to end all wars… sadly we know this was not the case. The parade headed down along the Levante promenade and was followed by the immaculately turned out Standard Bearers after which was the Mayor of Benidorm and dignitaries. Behind them were the pair attracting much applause upon their mobility scooters – Arthur ‘Skippy’ Teasdale and Wayne Campbell, the two Chelsea pensioners from the Royal Hospital, London in their distinctive scarlet coats who have been coming over for the launch for the last few years.
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There isn't one specific reason why visitor numbers to Benidorm are dwindling – increased prices and escalating crime are two obvious explanations, but the answer is to find solutions rather than just lay blame. Weekend packages promoted by tour operators that offer cheap alcohol with an anything goes attitude simply encourages bars to compete against each other, giving free shots to entice groups in. However, the rapid increase in ATM machines sprouting up literally everywhere is a worry and simply motivates and spurs on reckless spending.
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What is undoubtedly Benidorm's most popular bar, Tiki Beach on the Levante beachfront has been ordered to close by the Supreme Court – but presently remains open and as normal, heaving. Like a game of ping ping, the saga between residents of the Santa Margarita building, directly above the bar and the owners of Tiki Beach, Benisuisse SL has been ongoing since 2010. It is certainly a mecca for the Brits, who flock there in their thousands, usually spilling out onto the road to enjoy a beer with a view to live music. It is on the 'must do' list for most and no holiday to Benidorm is complete without a trip there - for many it's their first port of call once unpacked!
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