Looking to buy a bar in the costa del sol region
Jan 9, 2011 · BenMeynell · 12 replies · 5174 views
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Hi Guys.
I'm looking at buying a bar in the Costaq Del Sol region of spain.
I have been doing some research into obtaining alcohol licences etc but i'm really struggling to find information on costings of alcohol etc and wholesale companies.
Is anyone able to help me out please?
Jan 10, 2011 · ROB1305
Don't worry the wholesale companies will come looking for you when you open. Prices typically a third of sales price.
Jan 10, 2011 · BenMeynell
Thanks for your response Rob.
However i need to get a business loan in the UK first and it would be helpful for a wholesale cost so i can work out profit margins for my business plan
Jan 10, 2011 · ROB1305
I would be amazed if you got a UK loan for a bar in Spain - is that really possible?
Jan 10, 2011 · foxbat
Sorry, I don't want to be a wet blanket but this is not what the CDS needs...Yet another Brit bar!
If the bar you are proposing to buy is an existing one you have to ask yourself why are the owners selling up?
If its a new enterprise then you have no client base and will be starting from scratch with only passing trade to rely on.
Brit run businesses are failing everyday, people pulling up stakes and going back home broke.
The days of running a bar and making a fortune (or even enough to pay staff and make loan repayments) are long gone.
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Jan 10, 2011 · ROB1305
To be honest I think Foxbat has a very good point, although I don't know Costa del Sol I don't expect it's much different from the Costa Blanca in this respect at the moment.
Jan 11, 2011 · BenMeynell
Thanks for your response guys, but i never said i was looking to open a british bar.
I have made relevant enquiries and yes it is possible to get a loan in the uk for a business abroad.
i'm very keen to know both your experience in the EU market as you seem like you have the knowledge
Thanks in advance
Jan 11, 2011 · foxbat
Don't mind admitting this, but apart from buying a house and overseeing its renovation and budgeting monthly expenses I have no trading experience whatsoever here in Spain.
What I can comment knowledgeably about however are the simple logistics of things out here.
Beware some Brits; there are a hell of a lot of rip-off merchants out here who will promise the earth and give you nothing but grief once you have handed over cash...
Beware some Spaniards; ditto...
Everything takes time...
Everything costs...usually far more than you can anticipate.
If you cannot speak Spanish your problems are made worse by the simplest of misunderstandings; dealing with Spanish officialdom requires a working knowledge of Spanish as it is spoken in Andalucia... not the same language as one can learn from books...and a great deal of patiience
With the current economical situation in Spain and indeed throughout Southern Europe, starting a business with borrowed money is might I suggest a little hazarous...
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Jan 11, 2011 · billr
I`ve have had a bar on the costa del sol for 10 years and am still making a living,the trick is to do your homework first and don`t treat this as a holiday we work 15 hours a day 7 days a week during the summer believe it or not even after reading the so called advice here you can make a good living ,the biggest rip off merchants here are the brits,ask questions and use good old common sense. If you wouldn`t do it in England why do it here
Jan 11, 2011 · billr
I`ve have had a bar on the costa del sol for 10 years and am still making a living,the trick is to do your homework first and don`t treat this as a holiday we work 15 hours a day 7 days a week during the summer believe it or not even after reading the so called advice here you can make a good living ,the biggest rip off merchants here are the brits,ask questions and use good old common sense. If you wouldn`t do it in England don`t do it here
Jan 27, 2011 · Sneezey
I hope you've got a good English speaking lawyer to sort thing out for you here, there's a lot of red tape and it's especially difficult if you don't speak the lingo. I can reccommend Manilva Solicitors who have offices all along the coast and the first consultation is free. check out their web page.
Feb 11, 2011 · tigerberr
> Sorry, I don't want to be a wet blanket but this is not what the CDS needs...Yet another Brit bar!
If the bar you are proposing to buy is an existing one you have to ask yourself why are the owners selling up?
If its a new enterprise then you have no client base and will be starting from scratch with only passing trade to rely on.
Brit run businesses are failing everyday, people pulling up stakes and going back home broke.
The days of running a bar and making a fortune (or even enough to pay staff and make loan repayments) are long gone.
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GREAT ADVISE,AND VERY VERY TRUE