ISSUE NO. 1554 // 16 - 22 APRIL 2015
EWN FRONT EXTRA
Women out of work THE impact of the economic crisis in Spain has resulted in 18 per cent more women being unemployed in comparison to men, according to the Chamber of Commerce.
Special care VILLAJOYOSA Hospital has opened a special Parkinson’s unit to assist the 1,200 people diagnosed with the disease in the province.
Unjust rate FACUA - a consumer rights organisation in Spain - is petitioning the government to reduce IVA on ladies sanitary products from 10 to 4 per cent.
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Mayor on location
By Irena Bodnarec BENIDORM Mayor Agustin Navarro and Leire Bilbao, Director of the Tourism Foundation, turned up on location at the Mirador in the Old Town. The mayor is an enthusiastic supporter of ITV’s Benidorm sitcom now in its eighth series - and could not resist grabbing hold of the clapperboard on set, as our exclusive picture shows. Filming of the first series took place in 2006; in September 2012, the mayor and British Consul presented it creator and writer Derren Litten with a plaque acknowledging his contribution to increasing tourism in the resort. It is now located on the wall of the Tourist Information Office in front
of Morgan’s Tavern in the Rincon. Although a popular destination prior to the programme, bookings soared and continue to do so every time the series is screened. The first day of filming started on
March 24 with the cast and crew based in the resort for a 13-week period. Local businesses all feel the knock-on financial benefits, estimated at €2 million. Mayor Navarro watched a scene being filmed between actress Sherrie Hewson and John Challis - best known as Boycie from Only Fools and Horses - overlooking the popular Levante Bay. He then chatted with Pere Agullo, the Spanish production manager from Filming Spain, writer Derren Litten, new director Robin Sheppard and series line producer Simon Bird. Filming Spain is the company appointed by Tiger Aspect in London to be responsible for liaising with the town hall to ensure that filming goes smoothly.