Hi Simon,
You'll find lots of threads on here relating to businesses and their current viability. However, relating to Benalmadena Pueblo specifically, I don't know if you know the area but Benalmadena is split into Benalmadena Costa, Arroyo de la Miel (the main shopping/town area) and Benalmadena Pueblo which is the old whitewashed centre of the municipality half-way up the mountainside. It's a very pretty place with white walled houses and narrow streets.
The Pueblo has quite a lot of tourists and ex-pats who prefer to be away from the bustle of Benalamdena Costa and Arroyo de la Miel. There are quite a few ex-pat businesses mixed in with the Spanish ones however, this is not the centre of commerce for the area.
In relation to business generally, then from talking to my friends here who are in business things are as bad as they've seen. Tourists, particularly British tourists are down in number but I guess you'd be looking for a more stable ex-pat customer base. However, theexchange rate and what seems like soaring inflation has hit hard and they are looking at ways of saving money. I was talking to a friend who has a removals business who is doing very well but only by relocating UK ex-pats to the UK.
As ever, it's a decision you need to make but when looking at the books have a good comparison from the last few years to the very recent past. With 20%+ unemployment it'll be very worth your while to do a lot odf research.
Good luck whatever you decide to do.