MichaelandDawn

Hi there, we are Michael & Dawn from the UK. We are, dates permitting, going to be travelling out to the Costa del Sol over the next 1-2 months to sort out our apartment and go on lots of potential business viewings.

I am mega organised, but everyone is human, and can forget to think about (usually the most obvious ) things to remember.

Are there any tips for me regards relocating to Spain, what to take with us. We are going to be renting our house out, and trying not too take too much with us, as we will be getting a furnished rental property.

Any pointers regards last minute things to tie up in the UK, things that we will need for our first week out in Spain, or anything else whatsoever would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance xxxxxxxx

Mitzyboy

Welcome to the forum both

My only tip to you straight off is that if you are thinking of running a bar then please be sure that you know what you are doing. There is sooooooo much competition over here and many that have failed.

Also think .......... long long hours, coffee here can be €1.20 and a beer about the same ..... you've got to sell a hell of a lot of those to make it worth your while and be profitable

Also, from what I have read, actually interpreting any accounts that have been produced can be a nightmare when purchasing a bar related business.

You're probably doing the right thing renting though

MichaelandDawn

Thanks for the info, we have thought long and hard about it, and we getting a cafe bar, as i believe thats where the money is ( as opposed to just a drinks bar)

We have experience in the bar and hotel industry so i hope that will stand us in good stead.
We have got a shortlist of about 10 cafe bars on the sea or marina front to view....Just need to get our dates in order. Got so much to do, so any other helpful tips etc would be very much appreciated.

Are there any relocation/bar sales companies anyone has worked with and liked, and more importantly disliked??

Also anyone got any tips on decent reliable house removals from Uk to Spain xxxx...we wont have loads of stuff..I imagine it would all fit into a medium sized van.......clothing/electricals ( although TV is huge ) ,, filing cabinet, and sentimentals etc xxxxxx

MichaelandDawn

Oh, and any tips on interpreting the accounts as per the previous post xxxxxxxxxxx

Mitzyboy

Ahh I see
Just out of interest, how did you do your research to find out that thats where the money is?

There are people on here I believe that have tried this .... I'll leave them to make comments from experience

I wasn't aware there were companies that specialise in bar sales, It may probably be dealt with by "normal" estate agents, and they dont get much of a recommendation in general over here as regulation is about nil

SueG

Without putting a downer on you if you see any accounts in any shape or form it will be a miracle

jackytoo

Everyone who buys a bar thinks theirs will be run different. Sadly, nearly all fail within the first year. Have seen many that change hands every year or are closed down. There is one who advertises every week in Town Crier.

SueG

There are specialist companies - all I would say is take virtually everything they say with a pinch of salt. Please please do your research - when they tell say that they you have "just missed the lunch rush" go back on the following day and see what you have missed We were fed that line and when we went back everyone must have been wearing their invisible clothes cause we certainly didn't see anyone!! Bear also in mind that when you are told that the Sellers pay the agents commission - you are in fact paying it as it is added onto the sale price. Please also check all websites for local agents - prices can differ by thousands of euros depending on greedy the agent is - say the Seller wants for example €40,000 for the trespasso you may see it advertised for anything from €45,000 upwards. DO NOT PAY ANY DEPOSIT NO MATTER WHAT STORY YOU ARE TOLD WITHOUT SEEING AN INDEPENDENT SOLICITOR FIRST - I CANNOT STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS -THEY WILL CHECK ALL IS ORDER RE LICENCES ETC THAT THE BUSINESS HAS NO OUTSTANDING DEBTS ETC.

P.S. I do wish you the best of luck but we were caught by an estate agent - virtually everything that came out of his mouth were lies - and according to our Bank Manager virtually no businesses last year made a profit. You have to bear in mind that agents make their money selling the bars etc time and time again - I have known businesses be sold three times in one year!!

Lionda

Please take heed of SueG's words. There is another thing to watch out for - rent a crowd - yes, it goes on, particularly in the Benidorm area. A crowd paid 5 euros or thereabouts to be in the bar at a certain time to make it look busy. It does happen

MichaelandDawn

Thank you SueG for your knowledge and words. I apperciate all of this advice. We are definitely going to do our dream, but will definitely be going in with open eyes regards all these pointers.

Keep them coming, bad and good. Also re my first post, things to remember before leaving the Uk, and removal companies xxxx

Thank you so much xx

Splatt

Even before you speak to an agent, I would find out which bars are for sale and where they are and then just start drinking (not too much) in the bars you are interested in. Take your time and make sure you have enough in the bank to see you through at least 6 months.

You may find that you get chatting to the owners and discover a lot more from the horses mouth than if they realise you are potential buyers. There is also then the opportunity of 'accidentally' discovering the bar you like is up for sale and taking the negotiations from there, sans agent.

Since I've been here I've learned a new saying in Spain: Everything is for sale. And by jingo it is too! I think most owners have their business listed as for sale on some website or another for a sum that is too good to refuse, so it would pay to negotiate hard with someone who has to get out rather than someone who would get out for the right money, trespasos are big business out here.

Good luck!

Ste.

MichaelandDawn

Thank you so much for all of your help....pls keep your comments coming.

I have just received an private message from someone recommending :-

(SNIP)

We would be after a one way drive, and i see that this company does this.

Can you tell me how it works though. We would want to rent a van that is local to us (Lancashire ) so we can load it, then drive it to our closest port/ferry terminal. Once in Spain, how does it work....How do you get the van to your house??

Confused xx

Mitzyboy

Get your E106 documents from the DWP so that you get up to two years state health care

If you aint got much and you have the time, it may be worth renting a luton LWB and doing your move yourself .... total coat about €1500 all in round trip. Or look in the free beer thread and there is a one way van rental company listed.

john1979

I hope you got my PM with regards to the guy i know. He is very honest and he talked me out of buying a bar and this company specialise in selling bars.

In the free beer threrad you can hire a van one way for £100 a day i forgot to put that in the PM.

Good luck.

John

Rosemary

Do you speak Spanish? Even if you intend to have your business in a mainly Brit area you would still need good Spanish for dealing with suppliers, officials etc.

Rosemary