Buying a bar in fuengirola???

[maria67]

Hello,
I am considering buying a small drinks bar in the puerto marina fuengirola, does anyone know if you work hard enough you can still make a living there? Also which area in the costa del sol would be better for business? Im not seeking my fortune but would like a fresh start from the uk cant stand the weather anymore.All advice would be welcomed as Im really out on a limb here just a bit of honesty would be great. Thanks all, Maria

[Enrique]

Hi maria67,
Welcome to the Forum

Have a read in the FAQ section...............there is some info.

[katy]

Most of the bars in the Port change hands every season/year which says it all. A bit of a run down area with some desperate looking people trying to make a living. The only winner is the person who holds the lease. If you spend a week observing them you will see what I mean, even in the boom times they didn't do anything.

[MarkF]

I passed through last year in August and the town was surprisingly quiet. I run a small business so chinwagged with a lot of owners, they are struggling badly. Tbh all you need to do is to take a walk around for a day, what your eyes don't tell you, your ears will.

Katy is right, stop thinking about it, don't do it.

[deidrev]

Katy's right! Bars are always up for grabs. It's difficult to make a living in the best of times in an area like that. You would also have to get an opening licence which can take months, National insurance? VAt, which has to be paid, nolower limit!
So many people with broken dreams!
If you really intend going out to the area and work at something as demanding as a bar there'll be little time to spend in the sunshine or on the beach!
Why not visit and have a look at things without rose-coloured glasses. See things for what they really are before you make a very important decision!

[gus]

We have Spanish friends who have a cafe/ice-cream parlour which is popular with all nationalities. They make a reasonable living from it.......however..........they have owned it for 20 years, run it themselves (husband and wife) with no additional staff. It is open 6 days per week from 9.00am till around 8.00 -9.30 pm from November to April and from 9.00am till as late as 2.00am during July and August.
If you are prepared to put in that sort of commitment then, yes, it might be worthwhile but I know very few people who can "exist" like that!!

[anyroads]

just lie down until the feeling passes.

I have seen well established bars struggle over the past year....not the time, and may never come again.

anyroads

[Mowser]

Maria can't be too interested as she hasn't been back to this page for nearly 6 weeks.

[peteroldracer]

Given the current state of things, I always thought this was a fishing trip by a business sales firm. The old saying about it being easy to end up with a million in the bank by buying a bar in Spain is still true - as is the other part of the comment that says you must start by having at least three million!

[carrowcrin]

This reminds me of the Irish farmer who won the lotto
The lads said, what will you do now Paddy with all the money
Reply... i'll stick wit the farmin till i have it all spent

[anyroads]

"This reminds me of the Irish farmer who won the lotto
The lads said, what will you do now Paddy with all the money
Reply... i'll stick wit the farmin till i have it all spent
carrowcrin"

Or the Scot who won the lotto........

His friends said, what are you going to do about the begging letters........
He said, I will keep sending them .....

boom boom !