We've just got back and it seems that a lot of places are suffering because of the terrible exchange rate (and possibly the government's policy of hanging people who takes their kids off school for a few days.) The really big cabaret bars are still doing OK but the "second tier", as it were, seem to be suffering. The Talk of the Coast has been turned into a shoe box, very odd, Moff's just not the same at Cafe B where he doesn't have the freedom to change his act. A lot of places had empty seats, air conditioning off, waiters failing to get that second order, desperate props outside the doors (they were a real pain this year, far worse than I can ever remember, even hassling me when I was on my own!) Unfortunately this includes the more kid friendly places like Churchills and the White Horse, obviously a lot of families have gone to Bulgaria etc.
I suppose it's a sad sign of our "celebrity" obsessed times that there were hundreds in the UK Cabaret bar, watching that shrieking woman off the telly, while acts at other places were playing to half a house. There also seems to be a growing trend to switch from comedians to tribute acts, maybe these are more appealing to the Spanish holidaymakers, who are definitely increasing in numbers.
I still had a great time, but you wonder how long a place like the Shamrock can pay a four piece band with ten customers in
Don't get me wrong, the town is definitely not dying, far from it, Aqualandia was the busiest I've ever seen it, but there is a definite shift. The Spanish are reclaiming "our territory". Don't even think of hiring a car without a car park space! It's ironic that the TV series, showing the worst of the summertime "British Benidorm" (and stuff which has never existed, dogs aren't even allowed on that beach!) should come out just as that side of the place may be starting to disappear. If you haven't been much before you won't notice, a "quiet" Beni is ten times more lively than most places, but I'd make the most of it, because in ten years I reckon it will be the Spanish resort with the skyscrapers. I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing. Maybe all the acts that vanish will resurface somewhere by the Black Sea?