Thread: What is going on in Spain with expat business owners?

Costa News - Killing the golden geese

This is a complete disgrace. It appears they are using all kinds of excuses now to clamp down on foreign owned businesses! And ontop of the global slowdown they are now taking national measures to further destroy tourism and expat businesses. What do you think of this?

Taking an extract I read "Angry bar owners say that while they agree betting on horse races is illegal in Spain, they are only providing what the public want which is to have a pint and bet a few bob on the horses.".......

My take is illegal is illegal....why should the Brits get a dispensation

I agree. It strikes me as a bit arrogant to say that they know it is illegal but it's what their customers want and then complain when the police catch them out. Would they do the same if they were in the UK?

I was in Benidorm a couple of weeks ago. I was amazed at how many Brit businesses are now closed compared to my last visit. The council are shooting themselves in the foot if they think that Brit holiday makers are going to spend their money in Spanish bars with no entertainment. The hoteliers were suprised about the lack of tourists over Christmas. They could get en even bigger shock this summer, as the majority of tourists that visit Benidorm are British,

CD

CD

Regarding the first post by Costablancajo, (the comments in the Costa Blanca news article) The first comment related to Ciudad Quesada, the urbanisation where I have lived for almost seven years. The Council have clamped down on the bars with music, because of complaints by residents. Many of the bars were built very close to residential properties. In the summer months when holiday makers are in evidence, live music is permitted until midnight three evenings a week. In the winter months the bars are only permitted music one evening a week. As a result many establishments have gone out of business, as their clients have gone elsewhere, or stayed at home..

Originally Posted by JazminesII

Taking an extract I read "Angry bar owners say that while they agree betting on horse races is illegal in Spain, they are only providing what the public want which is to have a pint and bet a few bob on the horses.".......

My take is illegal is illegal....why should the Brits get a dispensation

That's exactly the problem JazminesII it appears it is the Brits are being targeted while the Spanish are left alone!! Just read some of the comments on the article

Originally Posted by Sue and John

I agree. It strikes me as a bit arrogant to say that they know it is illegal but it's what their customers want and then complain when the police catch them out. Would they do the same if they were in the UK?

It strikes you? Again, you are missing the big picture here... I highly doubt any of them are anywhere close to arrogant. Most of them are scraping by trying to survive in Benidorm.....

Originally Posted by CDThader

I was in Benidorm a couple of weeks ago. I was amazed at how many Brit businesses are now closed compared to my last visit. The council are shooting themselves in the foot if they think that Brit holiday makers are going to spend their money in Spanish bars with no entertainment. The hoteliers were suprised about the lack of tourists over Christmas. They could get en even bigger shock this summer, as the majority of tourists that visit Benidorm are British,

Yes this summer is going to be a shock for sure... 10-20% will come to Benidorm compared to previous years, guaranteed!

Here's some of the comments from the article:

Spanish arrogance?

This seems to illustrate the arrogance of the Spanish. They have forgotten that the prosperity they have had for 20 years was due to massive EU Cohesion funds and now Spain is having to contribute to the EU instead of being a parasite on the EU.
I own property in Spain but I have only been there twice in 2 years, and I am actively looking to get out and go elsewhere.
Major mistake by the Spanish.
Like Ireland they have a huge wake up call coming.!

Discrimination?

WHY IS BINGO NOT ALLOWED IN LACALA WHEN IT IS ON IN FINESTRAT IN A BAR WHERE THE MAYOR WAS SAID TO BE DRINKING
LACALA IS A MORGUE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO THE BRITISH BARS IS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
ALL THE BAR OWNERS WANT TO GET TOGETHER AND TAKE LEGAL ACTION
THERE IS SPANISH BARS IN LACALA
THAT PUTS LIVE MUSIC ON AND THE POLICE WALK PAST AND NEVER SAY A WORD IF THIS WAS BRITISH THEY WOULD BE CLOSED FOR THREE DAYS AND FINED
ITS ABOUT TIME THEY PULLED THEIR FINGER OUT AND WORKED TOGETHER

Well I have to say I am not seeing any favoritism for Spanish proprietors in San Pedro del Pinatar.......ok so there are not loads of Brit bars but I've seen several Spanish proprietors have their knuckles smacked for misdemeanors of a level similar to those you mention above.