This is Spain

In the years I have lived in Torrevieja, I am disappointed to say that I have seen many examples of, to say the least, dubious business practices and so I was delighted to be involved with the launch of both T.I.B.A. and BGE. They both cover the southern Costa Blanca and the idea is that professional and legal businesses should promote each other in an ethical manner. I have to say that my experiences of dealing with several of their members have been extremely positive and I am happy to endorse them. New members are always welcomed and you will find full details on their sites. Some of their members that I can personally recommend include:

That said, there are other business I would have no hesitation in recommending. They include:

Sparks Electrical Services is a family owned legal business helping home owners and local businesses with electrical solutions for living and working in Spain.

We have over 30 years’ experience in the Electrical Contracting Industry, which includes 8 years on the Costa Blanca *.

We undertake all types of electrical work from the smallest job to complete renovations and rewires. All quotations are given free of charge and include a free Consumer Unit inspection and safety check. We also offer a 24/7 emergency call out service, including fiestas.

We are based in the Orihuela Costa region near the town of Torrevieja, 30 km south of the City of Alicante. We offer our services from Alicante to Cartagena, as well as inland areas.

For more information on our complete range of products and services please visit our website www.sparksinspain.es

* Qualified with the London Institute of City & Guilds, Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Public Institute of Lighting Engineers. Registered with the Generalitat Valenciana.

Photo Video Spain www.photovideospain.com

If you are looking for a photographer or a videographer for almost any activity, from a wedding to commercial business usage, Photo Video Spain are one of the very few in Spain that can offer both services under the one roof. A perfect choice for Weddings and Events or Corporate Multimedia production because of the synergy that exists between their team. Advice is always free and they work with some of the most creative talent to be found on the Costas. Even I have appeared on camera for them!

Costa Blanca Weddings www.costablancaweddings.com

Having been married more than once myself, Costa Blanca Weddings are NOT a company that I personally plan on using; ever! Saying that, destination weddings are becoming more and more popular and even with the weak pound. having your celebration in Spain remains good value for money plus, there’s a better chance of sunshine on your big day! Costa Blanca Weddings offer advice, information and links to most everything you’ll need Photography, video, entertainment, discos, cakes, dresses, cars, wedding planners, shoes, tuxedos, flowers, favours and lots more for you; if not for me!

Costa Blanca TV www.costablancatv.com

 

One of the main complaints that I hear from visitors and residents alike is “I wish I’d known about that before hand!” Unless one reads the Spanish Press, listens to Spanish Radio or is in the know, there are many events and activities that expats just miss out on. In order to redress this balance, in 2008 former local TV and ‘Living in Spain’ production company Costa Blanca TV started switching their resources to build Costa Blanca TV, a Web TV site, which seems to grow bigger everyday. The aim is to fill it with lots of short 60-second videos, with advice on lifestyle, entertainment, bars and restaurants, things to do, living in Spain plus longer videos about Spanish news and the all important What’s On Guide.

I also find it useful for their links to ITN news clips, BBC World and the web sites for the majority of the Costa Blanca’s radio stations, magazines, newspapers plus selected inks for UK media content too. All these web sites are found on Costa Blanca TV. You don’t have to follow a link and end up on a different page and then have no idea where you started. The site is designed to be informative and make life easier for you. They even have daily Suduko and crossword puzzles. Now if only they’d introduce a Chess Challenge! Soon, you’ll also be able to see your own Spanish lifestyle videos within a special section of the site. Now you can ‘be the star you are’ in a place dedicated to life on the Costa Blanca.

Disco 007 www.disco007.com

I am possibly the very last person that would even think about visiting a discotheque (now there’s a word from the seventies you don’t hear too often!). I’m even less likely to go to Karaoke but I do have fond memories of growing up in an age when music was possibly more melodic, catchy and fun than today’s iPod driven, mp3 downloading generation listens to . If you are planning a celebration, birthday, wedding or event and you’d like a DJ that can ‘spin’, OK hit a button to play music, from the 60’s to today, check out Disco 007.

Keith has been spinning records for about 30-years and in fact, still has many of those little black vinyl things with a hole in the middle which we use to call 45’s! He tells me he has all of the today’s chart music but his forte is in the fun music that w can all sing and dance along to from the Beatles, Elvis and Cliff though the days I remember best when flares, Georgie Best, ABBA and T-Rex where all the fashion in the 70s; to 80’s theme nights, all before the ubiquitous CD was even thought of. A fun night out and better yet, he ensures he plays ‘your’ music by working with you to produce a ‘playlist’ of your favourite music before the event, to make your disco a memorable one. James Bond may not be spinning the discs but it’s an easy name to remember; Disco 007.

Mediaelx S.L.L. www.mediaelx.com

I have been working closely with Mediaelx for several years and on numerous sites. They are a legal Spanish-registered company who specialise in the design of websites and the provision of business development services on the Internet. Mediaelx has always offered a professional and very experienced service in all areas of web design: design of Self-managed websites, Domain Name System, Web hosting, Web positioning and graphic design.

Mediaelx relies on a large team of professionals who support all types of individuals, companies and organisations from their Head Office in Elche. I have been happy with them, many people I have recommended them to have been happy and I am sure you will be too!

John Knight & Chris Proctor formed Peek at Spain SL (a fully legal Spanish company) in 2002 and were one of the original British agents in the area around Spain’s third biggest city, Valencia, selling properties in the countryside and the towns, under the ‘Peek at Spain’ banner. They changed the banner three years ago to “PEEKPROP”.

I have known them for several years now and over that time they have built up an excellent reputation for their honesty and total commitment to their clients resulting in 57% sales from recommendations in 2005! In 2008 they launched Guide2Valencia and in April 2009 bought the magazine BRITCHAT John still keeps his hand in on the IT & Networking side and is available for CONSULTANCY.

This is their summary : –

Guide2Valencia “All about Castellón, Valencia & Alicante Provinces on ONE site for the Valencian Community”.

PEEK AT SPAIN SL ” 2,750 properties in Valencia and Alicante Provinces – Let them find your ideal property”.

BRITCHAT “Local Magazine for expats in and around Valencia”

CONSULTANCY “IT & Networking projects”

Jane Cronin
Jane Cronin has been teaching both English and Spanish in Spain for a total of 21 years. As well as being highly qualified within her profession, she has an impeccable reputation for professional standards and excellent quality. Jane is currently specializing in Spanish teaching specifically aimed at British residents and visitors to the country in the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida areas.

As well as producing DVDs and CDs for Spanish language learning, Jane has developed a unique method of teaching to large audiences in the form of a presentation. This method has helped literally thousands of people to get to grips with the basics of the Spanish language in an entertaining and non-threatening environment via a method that is also extremely cost-effective.

For more information about Jane and her work, you can visit: www.janecronin.eu

Bumblebee Prints

Bumblebee Prints is a family-run business established in 2006. They specialise in personalised photo gift products, clothing, sign making and other services. From one off purchases to bulk orders, each and every order will be specifically designed to your own personal or company requirements. The owners are known to me and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.

….and finally

Legal Solutions

After three “specialists” told me they could not register a car with an “interesting” history, I approached Legal Solutions more in hope than anticipation. They promised to see what they could do and just a few days later I was the proud owner of the complete set of paperwork for the vehicle. A quality job at a competitive price