The iconic Benidorm Island – sometimes dubbed Peacock Island is visible from along the entire Benidorm coastline - Levante, Poniente and La Cala beaches and a popular tourist attraction, visited by thousands every year... some even think that they can swim there!

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. The island is part of the protected Serra Gelada Natural Park and the restaurant never had permission to even be there, despite the fact that they were paying rent to the council for many years!

The anomaly was only unearthed by accident after The Ministry of Environment questioned the council on how they managed the facilities and services, in particular the discharge of waste on the island.

Will it also affect the boat service one wonders… and will visitors still think it worthwhile to go with literally nothing there? It was certainly a nice little earner as George Cole would say on ‘Minder’ back in the day! However, as we have witnessed here in Benidorm, Tiki Beach has had a Supreme Court order to shut and still remains very much open. 

Likewise, the Gemelos towers at the far end of Levante Beach have had a demolition order placed upon it despite many of the apartments being occupied as it was built too close to the waters edge. It may take many years for anything to actually happen… mañana, mañana!