LOCAL BUSINESSMAN CHALLENGES TENDER PROCESS FOR CHIRUNGUITOS

Local businessman Raúl Fernández has filed a document in Orihuela challenging the tender process for the operation of the Chirunguito bars along the Orihuela Costa and requesting that it be suspended as the current procedure does not allow for free competition. He says that the system is "tailored" to meet the needs of the current concessionaire.

Fernandez, with over 25 years in the catering and leisure sector, says that one of the specific requirements of those companies wishing to tender is that they must be in possession of ISO quality certificates which have been issued by the competent authority. They must also hold the distinctive ‘Q’ for quality tourism award which the City Council says is necessary if it is to maintain the excellence of its beaches and the services they provide.

He says that it is impossible for any company wishing to operate the beach bars to obtain such certification until such time as they are in that industry so the requirements of the tender do not allow free competition to the companies that are interested in acquiring such services.

Fernandez also criticized the process for awarding the bars as a whole lot, saying that it went totally against the rules of free competition and was little more than a coastal monopoly. He suggested that each of the bar franchises be awarded as individual units.

The current deadline for submission of tenders was due to expire last Thursday morning. Martina Scheurer, the councilor responsible for the tender process, told the Leader that she expected there to be more than a single application but although she had certainly considered breaking the tender up into individual chirunguitos she felt that the standards and the management of the franchise would be much easier to maintain and control if they were allocated as a single entity.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/42695/

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