A number of truly iconic beach bars along the Costa da Caparica (south of Lisbon) are approaching the end of their concession contracts, with no new contracts in sight. The 20 or so proprietors suspect this is a ruse by the municipality of Almada to get rid of them. The municipality has told SIC that it is “available for dialogue”, but admits to having informed the businesses that their contracts have terminated. They have indicated that the restaurants can remain running – if they go on paying their rents – until a solution is found. The restaurants accuse the municipality of a (not so) hidden agenda.
