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'END OF AN ERA'
Benidorm’s famous Tiki Beach bar closed forever after superfans fail to stop government-ordered shutdown over noise complaints
The popular bar was ordered to close for good after years of complaints from locals about noise
POPULAR Benidorm watering hole Tiki Beach has finally closed its doors after being forced to shut up shop by the Spanish courts.
Loyal customers have been in mourning since the bar’s bosses put up shutters on Sunday, after complaints from neighbours.
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Judges had ordered that the popular holiday haunt close in October, but the owners defied that demand for more than a month.
With about 45,000 Brits descending upon the town during the lucrative November fiesta week, Tiki Beach kept serving thirsty visitors.
Spain’s Supreme Court ordered the bar to close following a long-running dispute over the alleged "noise and disturbance" back in April 2016.
But the determined owners attempted to overturn the decision by launching an appeal, which they subsequently lost.
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Loud music and the behaviour of the customers, mostly Brits, were cited by the owners of the nearby Santa Margarita building in their call for action against the bar.
As the Tiki Beach owners don't have any further legal options to pursue, they are keen to move the watering hole to vacant premises further down Levante beach.
The bar's bosses are currently looking for an alternative spot on the resort's seafront that is not surrounded by as many residential properties, and they hope to reopen next year.
In the meantime, mournful regulars at the all-day beachside drinking haunt - popular with UK tourists - took to social media to share pictures of the closed watering hole.
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One wrote on Facebook that it was an "End of an era" while another posted: "Best in Beni. RIP Tiki."
A third commented: "Fingers crossed it is back open soon."
On Facebook page Save Tiki Beach, one member who enjoyed one last drink there posted: "News from the staff is they'll close in two weeks and then reopen next year."
Another added: "We asked the bar staff yesterday she said it shuts in about 17 days for the end of season and then re opens in February."
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Ex-Corrie star Georgia May Foote - who was in Benidorm recently with pals and shared a boozy snap on Instagram - said: "Er excuse me is it true tiki beach is closing down? I may cry.
"It was one of my faves in Benners. I mean they do corona by buckets."
Fellow regulars also blasted the decision, saying holidays in Benidorm would never be the same.
One person commented on Facebook: "REALLY????? Come on you live next to one of the most noisy liveliest bars in Benidorm and you complain about noise ??? Get an apartment in Dorset not the main beach strip!"
Another wrote: "What a shame this bar is 1 of my favourite when in Benne."
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But Ann said: "While we were there people just dropping their drinks on the floor and glass flying all over also throwing their drinks but when you haven't got idiots there it's just lovely to sit there with a drink and take in the views."
Another added: "Been a long time coming. Too many drunk Brits."
Yet some upset holidaymakers vowed to never return to the Spanish destination, saying there would be no point after Tiki had closed.
"Pointless going back to beni now," said one die-hard fan.
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