YOUR LETTERS

I USED my usual annual taxi service over the festive period to transport me safely to Magalluf from Andratx. The previous two years have cost just over €40 for the return journey (about £27 then), this year cost me over €50 – around £50 now, DOUBLE the cost! Has there been a 25% increase in taxi fares to cover the high cost of fuel? If so, is it a naïve question, now fuel prices are so low, WHEN will taxi fares be reduced?

I went to a seafront snack bar in Porto Cristo, one I use occasionally, to find they have massively increased their prices so that a plate of chips now costs €4.10 – plus VAT! With the standard burger at €5.50 plus VAT, the humble burger and chips costs around £10. When I failed to order food, the waiter did explain that they have had to increase their prices due to “lack of trade”. Perhaps this is a new economics theory that will overcome anyone experiencing a demise in trade, or perhaps it is a fast-track route to the dole queue! I decided to stop at an old Spanish haunt in Manacor instead, they gave a 3-course menu del dia, with wine, for €7.95 – it was delicious too (albeit without the beautiful views of the Porto Cristo seafront).

As a footnote, could I please urge the British food-stores who offer an invaluable service to the ex-pat community (at a price) to please pass on the savings being made from buying in pounds and selling in Euros. This has been muted by one such store in the South-West, but I have witnessed only increases in some products pre-Christmas.

Mark Masters

Andratx