Shit is different for all of us, but the south of England would still be sunnier than many places in Northern Europe. It is January by the way and we are surrounded by the atlantic. Of course Marbella is warmer and sunnier, but there are other places that are even warmer and sunnier.

Hi Porth,

You asked me a question and said I should respond if it might be helpful. I will therefore not respond as I don't think it would be helpful, which is exactly why I didn't respond to the OP's post. If I had been interested in the business proposition I would have posted to tell the OP and followed-up with a PM. I did neither.

When I did post it was simply to give a bit of encouragement to the Op who was faced with immediate responses which weren't helpful and in some cases quite rude.

The first response told him:
Of course, being a chef is one thing and making money in a restaurant is completely different. That much is true, but are there no chef's who've opened restaurants and made money. Of course there are. But how does that and then comments about the recession help? He asked for investment, put up or.....

The second response told him:
Need I say more.

So I came in with a few words of encouragement.

I do agree with your point about reasoning being of assistance, and had that been the gist of any responses rather than generic negativity based on the fact the economy's in tough times, you wouldn't have heard from me.

Finally, I am not one to dodge an issue, so I am willing to answer your question but on the understanding that it won't be helpful to the Op. The Op who's long gone, BTW.

Thanks Blackey, it means alot

Cheers Horlics for your support. I have put so much work into this I will make it succeed.

And your right the weather is shit

I am talking in absolute rather than relative terms.

The weather here is absolutely shit and what it's like in Munich right now doesn't concern me. I don't know or care what the weather is like in Seoul either.

In other shocking news, I know it's January. I know the UK isn't surrounded by the Atlantic (not sure why you are trying to convince me it is), and I know there are places warmer and sunnier than Marbella. But thanks for taking the time to make sure I know.

No worries and you can't know everything, I agree

Hey Paul,

Times are tough.

In a place I visit often I have seen a new restaurant open and close. I have seen another open and thrive. The owner of the latter knows exactly the type of client he wants to attract. He knows there are plenty of them around.

He's attracted them, and he charges more for everything he sells than the now-bust place. His lifestyle would suggest he's making good money.

There are winners and losers. I hope you find a way to go forward with your ideas and that you become a winner.

If you do stay around here be aware that a few of the regulars here are back in the UK having given up on Spain for one reason or another, so that colours their opinions.

Just to clear everything up for everyone. Some of your comments have been helpful and some as described by others as quite rude are true. Other point are also right that I came on here looking for an Investor not a lecture on the rights or wrongs of my decision, the ruining of my children's education or anything else. I have spent the best part of the last 6 months planning this decision to a detail and waiting for the right premises to come available which I might add is beach front bang in the centre of the tourist area and hotels. Has a minimum of 320 days trade per year with a 7am to 2am license. Obviously I will not be able to work all of those hours which will be the reasons for having staff. As comments to my status as a chef. My main objection will be to manage the business and promote it through the proper channels to increase business and turnover. My skills as a chef will be to create the menu and to ensure the cooks are serving and preparing the food how I want it to be done. I have spent to many years slaving over a hot cooker to continue to do it in the raging heat. There is no possible way I could manage and cook for a 100 seater restaurant on my own with an additional 40 on the sun terrace so of course I will require staff.

I didn't come on here to cause arguments between people or to be slated so thank you for your comments positives and or negatives but I remain set with my plan so if you are interested please PM me.

Thanks

P.S. The premises is vacant due to the previous owner having a heart attack.

I am not a Chef nor an expert on Spain. Regardless of these things good research beforehand can save a lot of headaches when setting up a business. Spend some money on an air ticket and a decent hotel, go spend a month to 6 weeks in Spain (yes a month at the very least) in the areas where you think you might have some success, and then 'spy' on the competition, fill your notebook with ideas and remarks, see what they are doing right but also the ones who are not, and talk to the tourists (not only the Brits but also German, Dutch etc..) You should come away with some invaluable information.
Good Luck!

Thanks for that. May I stress that I am not a negative sort of guy and without boring you my upbringing in the valleys of South Wales and then life will point to let us say some obstacles that I overcome.

If you look at earlier postings as to a young couple with a daughter who wished to come to Spain I was supportive sensible but cautioned and wished them well.

That is how I work and for clients I simply never give up when I get my teeth into something where they have been disadvantaged and treated badly and illegally then there have been some major successes. Including libel over the internet - and here seriously I do advance caution. In all of this I worked on a pro bono basis.

We would wish for success in everything we do in this life and this is also addressed to the OP. However whichever way you cut and dice this the moving to Spain without say a capital base and little or no language capability and then throw in for good measure taxes health and all of that is somewhat of a big mountain to climb. I hope to be proven wrong.

thanks again

Calman, thanks for the tips. I have already planned to go for 2 weeks but your idea is valid. If I can convince my sister to keep the girls for another 2 weeks I think it would be a good idea.

Well, the OP has made his decision. Would be good to know the name of the restaurant and see how it works out in 2-3 years times. Good luck

Will post it on here once I am open and of course you will be more than welcome to come and spend some money.

None of us are experts of the type the Op needs, even the mighty Horlicks who cannot abide negative comments about Spain, God it's so wonderful here.

You need to do what anyone with an ounce of business savvy would do, go to a bank or financial advisor, capital and venture capital specialist and talk to them. Coming on here for investors seems to suggest you really have little clue where to start. That does not bode well for the future.

Those of us who have been bitten hard by the lying two faced Spanish know what the risks and problems are and just because they are problems across the board, doesn't mean prospective business owners take heed of them. Rose tinted glasses can be powerful optical illusionists.

Anyway, I wish you luck but you must be able to take the bad news as well as the encouragement. Encouragement isnt going to feed your family but bad news and lessons learned by others may well prevent a disaster.

By the way, what is the failure rate for restaurants in the area you are looking at?

Pedro. In comment. Venture capital and financial advisor's come at a cost. Fee's interest etc. The reason I am offering the repayment off the investment and a share of the restaurant is to avoid other expense's that would be between myself and anyone who may wish to help.

On you other question, restaurants fail for a number of reasons.
1. Bad management
2. Poor food
3. Type of menu
4. Reputation

There is no figure for restaurants per say as cuisines differ as does menus and quality. Figures cannot dictate these things