Hi

I have a few ideas on starting my own business and could really do with some honest, sound advice from Bristish people living on the island.

I run a plumbing and heating company in the UK, so I am looking for a new challenge.

Best wishes, John.

I'm not sure what you want: advice on being a taxi driver, advice on being a plumber, or advice on starting businesses in general. I'd have thought the first is a non starter, because, as in most places, the business is sewn up tight by the locals. As for the others, have you tried Googling the specific trade and Lanzarote? Bear in mind that there are almost no new builds being completed at the moment (and 2015 istoo far away to predict), and no-one has central heating, so plumbing opportunities are not great, and grabbed by the existing businesses who are having a very thin time.

Basically, there are too many people scrambling to make a living here already, and they know the ropes. To succeed, you'll need a really new idea in an untapped market. Good luck!

Advice on all really.

I am extremely enthusiastic in what I do and so starting a British Taxi Company is just an initial thought really.

I will check out the plumbing options....thanks

I would agree with walker taht you could be wasting your time on a taxi business, I have heard (think it was cymmon) that said you need a bank balance of 100k before they will even consider a license and then of course the obvious you need to speak the language.

What are British people working as, over there?

It all appears rather negative or is this just reality?

It is a beautiful island, so there must be some British businesses?

Bar work, jobbing in the building trade,shop workers and those who speak Spanish could be working in the office of estate agents solicitors etc, no moon walkers now as cymmon has left

Assuming you live and work in Lanzarote and your British - how are you surviving?

As Overhere said 2015 is a long way away. I spent the last three years researching and developing a business model. That is what I would do if I was you. I think to get a taxi company up and running legally would be virtually impossible for a non national. The Island has a million tourists so there are obviously oppertunities there. As for the expat trade a lot of people are finding life very tough financially so anything that could save us money would get a hearing. Enjoy your research I did even if my liver didnt

Ray

Ray

Do you have any contacts for starting a business on the island? Or are there some 'governing body' for applying for licenses and visas etc?

Cheers.....John

You dont need a visa and I wouldnt worry about paperwork this early. Just come over and meet as many people as you can. Research on the internet. There are various threads on a number of forums about this subject. Learn Spanish and accummulate as much money as you can you will need it to see you through untill you build your business up.

Ray

Thanks Ray....appreciate your advice

sent you a pm

http://lanzabusiness.com/

This link might be of use - as are the guys who set up that website.

Re. taxi - no-one is being negative just that the taxi-ing trade is basically a cartel. Maybe it is illegal under EU law but unless you have the right face you will never get a licence. At the airport only san bartolome cabs - the yaiza ones don't get a look in. Even small villa owners who are picking up guests get harrassed by the police for stepping on the toes of the cabbies.

Plumbing - well there is a decent market for fitting bathrooms - so if you can do that plus tiling, and maybe kitchen fitting then you could be onto something - but you would be starting at the bottom with no reputation and not knowing where the best trade deals are etc.