Hello everyone,
How glad we are that we have come across this site, it is extremly helpful.
Myself and my partner Chris have decided we have had enough of the rat race in the UK and are looking to set up a business in spain next year, ideally a restaurant/bar. We have never done anything like this before and would welcome all advice about moving over and starting a business! Chris is leaving his job after 22 years and I am a reception supervisor, so the restaurant game is all very new, we certainly do not want to venture into anything with our eyes closed and want to explore all aspects before taking the plunge, after all we want to succeed and are both very determined people!
I lived in Tenerife for 4 years and Mallorca for 8 months a few years ago so can speak a little bit of spanish but we both want to learn it fluently as I think this is very important.
Questions that we have for the forum that we would find very helpful are:
1) What are the best up and coming areas in Spain to start a business?
2)Does anyone know of any good property websites for leasing restaurants?
3) What are spanish suppliers like?
4) Is there a pack you can buy to give you pointers on moving?
5) What is spain like out of season, how long does their season last?
6) Do people actually make good money over there??

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and we would love to hear from anyone that has moved over and started their own business and how well they are doing?

I look forward to chatting with you all soon.

Claire

Research the idea of a Bar/Resturant very carefully.

Read all the expats site you can, you`ll then come to the stark conclusion that it wouldn`t be a good idea.

Good Luck.

Hi Santi,

That sounds like its not a good idea at all,could you expand on your comment .

Chris

Hi Claire,

I have worked in the restaurant, Hotel and Bar business most of my life in the u.k and it has the biggest failure rate of any
start up buisness, I know this from experience. It all looks very easy on the surface but it is very hard work and long
hours, also the competition is very fierce. We are re-locating to Spain but I wouldn’t open a bar, you only have to look at
the re-sale sites. I know this seems negative but I really feel sad seeing people go into this type of buisness without any experience. If you have set your hearts on this type of buisness then take a job in a bar or restaurant in the u.k prior to buying in spain to see if you like it, and also find someone who can give you un-biased advice on this type of business. You can’t always rely on the people selling the BAR/RESTAURANT to give you honest info about trade, if you find a buisness you like ask if you can come in for a training period prior to the sale and that would give you a real idea about trade, if they have nothing to hide then they will be happy to do this.

I hope this is of some help, if you need anymore info let me know.

Regards

Gina g

I didn`t want to be the person that brought you negativity on your idea.

If you had been from the trade then you may well succeed, even if your not there`s always the chance you could do well, there `s always the chance i`d win the lottery.

But if you goin to involve an amount of cash, its always good practice ensuring the odds are stacked your way.

The successful bars in Spain are usually owned by Spaniards or Brits with lots of cash.

A well placed bar with good margins will cost you lots, if you every manage to find one, the industry knows everybody well and if a profitable bar came on the market it`ll be grabbed quickly.

The ones that you`ve probably seen in Estate Agents or on the web are usually poor performing, bad location etc etc.

A friend of mine from Argentina was looking at a bar in my town in February, the owner a Spaniard built it new, ran the place as a bar for 6 months and is now selling the lease.

He`s asking 150,000 Euro`s, plus 10,000 for the Equipment, plus 1,100 a month rent.

Its a common tactic used by landlords, they open the place run it a few months, get a friend to falsify they had it previously and show 3 years accounts, and sell it to a person that isn`t very bright.

That happens a lot.

The new owners then find out the impressive bar without customers is a donkey, and then they learn Spanish law isn`t as easy as UK law.

Not only that, there are currently 454 known Mafia groups operating in Spain, many linked to the Policia.Only last month 29 Police officers including the Chief of Police were arrested for extorting money from bar owners in a town near Madrid.The officers were paid by the Mafia with cash and sex.

I`ve worked the doors in brit bars in the Costa Del Sol, the big ones are all linked to somebody either directly or indirectly.

I`m sure the smaller bar owners get visits from people who offer there protection services in many parts of Spain.

you want to buy on are sut on up ?
and o the hours are 20 a day long hours less for the uk rat race , little bit of spanish you be ripped off ....
there bar for sale all over the spain and its island all looking for big moneys .....
one key money , any think from 1000.000 euros up 900,000 euros seen on the cost del sol
then you rent
then you have to sound proof the place
Air con , have to keep the cool but not to cool so that drink more
power , water , insurance , staff , and gose on , mate has pub in madrid but he turn over money like the lotto , but then see outher place that just can pay the bills
pm me what to chat to me and fill you in
jurdy