Newsletter Christmas 2018

Welcome to the Christmas edition of your LBRA newsletter.

It seems incredible that another year has almost passed and the Christmas season is once again upon us. It’s been an extremely busy year and as ever December is a hectic month for us. We would like to welcome new business members Swim Lab Lanzarote and Barracuda, Costa Teguise and our new affiliated members. As always our members are our number one priority and we continually work hard to look after your interests. The LBRA was established as an association to work for and support its members, and to help and assist them on a daily basis whatever their needs. As an association we are a collective of like minded people who can share knowledge and information and whose aim is to work together as a united group for the benefit of Lanzarote and its future. We hope you enjoy this Christmas edition of the newsletter and as always would welcome your comments and suggestions.

Holidays

Due to the Christmas, New Year and Three Kings holidays the offices will be closed from Thursday 2oth December until Monday 7th January 2019. We shall of course still be working during some of this time so if you need to contact us urgently then please email lanzaroteba@gmail.com

A year end message from LBRA President, Daniel Trigg

I should firstly like to take this opportunity to welcome the new members who have joined us this year and also to thank all our members for being part of the association and for your loyalty and continued support. Being a non profit association is at times not an easy task but this year we celebrated our 10th anniversary and with you our members support we hope to continue for many more years. When I formed the association in 2008 my aim was to be able to help others and I feel that this has now been achieved. Our members are the most important part of the organisation, and our commitment is to work hard on your behalf and take care of your interests. As ever our overall objective is to continually increase tourism, improve the facilities, standards and services that the island has to offer, and to support and create unity in the community. We have the knowledge, capabilities, enthusiasm and dedication to work on your behalf. During 2018 we have had to re access our working practices and during 2019 we shall be making a number of changes, none of which will affect the services we offer to you but hopefully it will streamline and improve our efficiency. Once all our plans have been finalized we shall of course share these with you. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and hope that 2019 is a happy, healthy and prosperous year for you all. Best wishes Daniel

Member Interview - Barracuda, Costa Teguise

We recently met up with James and Annie who this year opened Cafe Bar Barracuda in Costa Teguise

LBRA. Hi James and Annie, thanks for taking the time to meet us, can we ask how long have you been in Lanzarote, how are you enjoying it and of course why Lanzarote?

J & A. Well we arrived here in April 2018, we had visited the island many times and had often thought about living or retiring here, but retirement is still quite a long way off. We had busy jobs and lives in the UK and had thought about starting our own business and then we thought well maybe we can combine both plans and open a business in Lanzarote.

LBRA: So you have this lovely Cafe Bar how did that come about and was this what you did previously?

James. Well I worked in insurance​ and accounting and Annie was a nurse, so very different to what we are doing now. We had done lots of research over a number of years and ha​d​ looked at a number of potential​ businesses, we initially had another business in mind but plans changed and we opened Barracuda in Costa Teguise. There was of course a delay in our original opening plans (nothing new there we understand) due to the amount of paperwork and checks to be completed, but finally the great day arrived and so far so good and no regrets.

LBRA. Could you tell us about the items you have to offer.

Annie. Well I look after the food and baking side, it has always been something I have enjoyed and have baked for many years. James looks after the bar side ( we have a fully licenced​ bar, so cocktails, beers, wine, soft drinks etc and of course prosecco and Italian coffee) All our goods are freshly baked and we offer light snacks and drinks from 09.30 - 8.00pm. Our range includes freshly made sandwiches and baguettes, salads, homemade pasties, sausage rolls, baked potatoes, and a different homemade soup daily. On the sweeter side we have cakes, pastries, scones, flapjacks etc and of course this month mince pies. We also have a selection of hot chocolate and during the winter months offer hot brandy coffee as well. We also offer a takeaway service and a selection of gift wrapped items, wines, wine and chocolate, sauces etc. Gift vouchers are also available and from next year we shall be offering "speciality cream teas" with prior bookings. We are also able to cater for private evening functions and have buffet menus available and we also offer a cake making service for whatever the occasion. Our afternoon teas can be pre booked from January and will be ideal for birthdays, baby showers, a few friends meeting up, or any occasion

LBRA. What would you say are your best sellers?

J&A. Well not easy to answer as most items are popular and it's lovely to see ​regulars ​calling in for their favourites, but the Cornish pasties, sausage rolls and scones would probably be the best sellers. We also are introducing some Christmas themed items, mince pies obviously​ but some other things like turkey and stuffing/cranberry sandwiches or baguettes.

LBRA. Is Lanzarote meeting your expectations?

J&A. Yes it is, although we had to get​ used to the different pace of life here and the speed at which things take to do, i.e long time to get paperwork sorted to open up, but we accept that we are in a different country and work with their rules and regulations.

LBRA. How easy/difficult have you found setting up a business in Lanzarote? Any pitfalls or recommendations/advice you could offer to others?

J&A. As above the length of time and we would always recommend that unless you speak the language fluently that you use an interpreter to help with the paperwork etc.

LBRA. What if any changes would you like to see in Lanzarote?

J&A. We would like to see more promotion about events taking place, we seem to find out about them once they have happened. Also improvements to the pavements in Costa Teguise would be a good idea.

LBRA. Best things about living in Lanzarote?

J&A. The relaxed pace, of course the climate and we love the landscape, Lanzarote may not be everyone's ideal, but it’s ours.

LBRA. How do you like to relax?

J&A. We very much enjoy walking and on our day off hope to achieve a 25/30km walk, we have found so many good walks but know there are many more and we​ look forward to those. We also enjoy a quiet meal with the superb wine we have here, and we try to use local places but maybe a little more out of the main tourist areas. And of course we always support fellow local businesses.

LBRA. Anything that would surprise people to know about you all?

J&A. Well this caused a few laughs, Annie in an ideal world would like to be a farmer but wait for it a goat farmer! How cool is that, so if they ever decide to leave Lanzarote we would find them in North Yorkshire on a farm with goats and alpacas. James has always enjoyed singing and is a secret karaoke fan.

LBRA. 5 words to describe Lanzarote?

J&A. Relaxed, Welcoming, Surprising, Varied and Satisfying.

LBRA. Has being part of the LBRA association been useful to you and would you recommend it to others?

J&A. Yes, for sure, extremely worth getting involved.

LBRA. What next any future plans?

J&A. Well for now we are concentrating on our business here, and plan to be here long term, but we are constantly planning and would eventually like to introduce different items onto the menu, and host more events and private parties.

LBRA. James and Annie, thank you so much for your time today it's been great to catch up and find out a little more about you both. James and Annie also host a Spanish/English language exchange on a Monday evening from 6.00pm. If anyone would like to contact them then please email or contact them via their Facebook page. Please see below for more details. The Language exchange sessions have now finished for the Christmas break but will restart on Monday 7h January.

Barracuda, Avenida de las Islas Canarias, CC Calipso, Local No.2, Costa Teguise

Email: barracudacostateguise@mail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarracudaCT/

Lanzarote has a new route with Venice operated by EasyJet

This new direct connection during the newly released winter season, runs from October 28 to March 30, 2019. The new route, operated by EasyJet, has two weekly frequencies on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The airline will make 86 round trips until the end of the aforementioned winter season. With this link, EasyJet increases thirteen connections from the Island to Europe.

The plane, an Airbus A320, landed around 4:30 pm and was greeted by the airport firemen with the traditional water arch. Upon arrival of the flight, the insular director of the State Administration in Lanzarote, Juan Ramón Pérez, the director of the Airport, Juan Carlos Peg, the Tourism Promotion Councilor of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Ángel Vázquez, the CEO of the Society of Foreign Promotion of Lanzarote (SPEL), Héctor Fernández, and Rosa Medina, on behalf of the company, welcomed the passengers and the crew with a commemorative cake.

Lanzarote wins again. as reported in Digital Lancelot

The Irish Travel Trade News (ITTN), a magazine of the tourism industry in Ireland that annually organizes the ITTA (Irish Travel Trade Awards) awards, has distinguished Lanzarote as 'Best Sun Holiday Destination 2018' ('Best Vacation Destination of the Sun'). 2018 ') for the fifth time since this event was established in 2011, during a gala dinner held last Friday in Dublin.

This award is added to the one also awarded to Lanzarote last January by the Irish Travel Industry (ITI), entity that includes the main tour operators and Irish tour operators, as 'Best Winter Sun Destination' ('Best Destination of Sun in Winter') for the fifteenth consecutive year.

The representative of the Foreign Promotion Society of Lanzarote (SPEL-Turismo Lanzarote) in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Arminda Delgado, was in charge of collecting the award during the contest held at the Clayton Hotel in the Irish capital, after the vote by travel agents from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The Councilor for Tourism Promotion of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Ángel Vázquez (PP), thanks the award and said that "this new recognition is not only another example of the idyll that keeps the Irish tourist with Lanzarote, but also supposes an accolade for all the sector and the promotional policies that we carry out from Turismo Lanzarote ".

In this context it should be noted that the number of Irish tourists who arrived on the island between January and September of 2018 amounted to 224,931, which represents an increase of 8.8% over the same period of 2017. In fact, Lanzarote received during the nine first months of this year to more than half of the Irish tourists who came to the Canary Islands during that period.

Not long till Christmas

A reminder if you need good quality Christmas Cards, the Bookswops in Puerto del Carmen have 100´s of boxed and individual cards.

They also have gift wrap, gift bags, diaries, calendars and wall planners. With their fantastic range of new and second hand books, greeting cards for all occasions, party goods, gift wrap, stationary and much more...the Bookswops have it all!

Please note the new opening times

BookSwop 1 A​ddress: Hotel Fariones end, corner Calle Timanfaya, Puerto del Carmen.

BS 1 - 09.30 till 18.00 Mon - Fri 09.30 till 14.00 Sat closed Sundays

BS 1 Late night opening from Monday 17th Till Friday 28th.

Tel: 928 514 931

BookSwop 2​ Address: Hotel San Antonio end, C.C. Costa Luz, Puerto del Carmen.

BS 2 - 09.30 till 17.00 Mon - Fri 09.30 till 13.30 Sat closed Sunday

Tel: 928 513 563

Both shops closed Tuesday and Wednesday 25th/26th and also Tuesday 1st January.

An open letter from HMA Simon Manley to British nationals living in Spain

HMA to Spain Simon Manley offers an update on the recent developments on the UK exit from the EU after the special European Council on Brexit.

I wanted to update you on the recent developments on our exit from the EU. As many of you are no doubt aware, on Sunday 25 November, there was a special European Council on Brexit. EU leaders agreed the Agreement and Political Declaration on the future relationship between the UK and EU.

Citizens’ rights is a key part of the agreement, so this represents a big step forward in providing certainty for UK nationals living in Spain. As the PM said following the European Council “If you are one of the over 3 million EU citizens who has come and built your life in the UK - come to be our colleagues, our neighbours and our friends - you need a deal that guarantees your rights. If you are one of the almost 1 million UK nationals living elsewhere in the EU, you need the same. This deal delivers for you all.”

The next stage is for the UK Parliament to vote on the deal the Government has negotiated, which is expected on the 11 December. The European Parliament will also vote on the agreement.

If approved, the Withdrawal Agreement will secure the rights of 1 million UK nationals living in the EU. It means that the 300,000 British people who have chosen to make Spain their home have a legal guarantee that they will be allowed to stay here after the UK leaves the EU on 29 March 2019.

The Agreement also defines the Implementation Period as running from 30 March 2019 and until 31 December 2020. All UK nationals lawfully residing in Spain on 31 December 2020 will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Under the current rules, UK nationals living in Spain must register with the Spanish authorities (at the Oficina de Extranjeros or at a designated local police station) to be legally resident here. Therefore, I and the team strongly recommend you ensure you are correctly registered as a resident, as is your current obligation. For detailed advice on registering, please see our Living in Spain guides. We will, of course, update our advice if the Spanish authorities announce any changes to the registration requirements linked to Brexit.

During the Implementation Period, you will be able to visit, live and work in the EU broadly as you do now. If you want to move to a different Member State, you will be able to do so during the Implementation Period.

UK nationals and their families covered by the Agreement will continue to have broadly the same access to healthcare, pensions and other benefits as they currently do. And you will be able to leave Spain for up to five years without losing your right to return if you have acquired the relevant residency status. If you have any questions about who is covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, please see the UK nationals living in the EU pages.

Next steps make sure you are correctly registered with Extranjeria here in Spain. Please see gov.uk/living-in-spain and sign up for email alerts to stay up to date and find out about ouroutreach events, by visiting the Living in Spain guide on gov.uk.

Follow our “Brits in Spain” social media channels, including on Facebook

*both the Embassy and our network of consulates will continue with outreach events across Spain to answer your questions about your rights and Brexit, with three events planned before Christmas and more planned for the new year. And we will continue to update you with key information in the months ahead. In the meantime, I would like to wish all British nationals living in Spain, a very merry Christmas.

Simon Manley

Social Media Training

We are organising another Social Media training session, which will hopefully be held in January. The course tutor will be John Beckley who is a renowned and highly respected social media expert and digital marketing professional based in the Canary Islands. We would like to plan it around your needs, so what we would like to know is what areas you would like to cover, any questions you may have, any aspects that you don't fully understand. If you could please send your questions to us then John will build the session to cover these topics, which we hope will prove to be more beneficial to you.

This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who uses social media for business to find out how it can help promote your business and to learn more about how it can improve and enhance your business and personal profile. Attendees should already have some knowledge and want to improve their social media skills. Further details will be sent in the new year.

NEW intercambio de idomas / Spanish and English Language Exchange.

Due to the Christmas holiday there will be no language exchange until Monday 7th January but then every Monday evening in Costa Teguise from 6.00pm - 7.30pm. Everyone welcome just come along buy a drink and join in the conversation. Please let us know if you are interested. Todos los lunes por la tarde a partir del noviembre 18:00 a 19:30. Sean todos bienvenidos al tiempo que participan en la conversación y disfrutan de una bebida. please note these are conversational sessions not classes. The new sessions will be at Barracuda which is on Avenida de las Islas Canarias, CC Calipso, Local No.2

Not organised by us but the annual parade will take place on Thursday December 20th

We hope you have enjoyed this edition and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May your Christmas sparkle with moments of love, laughter and goodwill, and may the year ahead be full of contentment, peace and happiness.

Best wishes Team LBRA