Staff shortages forcing Mallorca restaurants to cut opening hours

A 30% fall in restaurants' sales turnover

Some restaurants have had to close at certain times of the day | Photo: Jaume Morey

Andrew EdePalma08/09/2024 08:50

The new president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, Juanmi Ferrer, says that staff shortages that were evident in 2022 and 2023 have worsened and led to a reduction in opening hours. Restaurants have been forced to close at certain times of the day.

At the same time, and as the association has been pointing out since June, there has been lower spending. On becoming president last week, Ferrer stated that there had been a 30% fall in turnover.

He adds that a weak high season minimises the possibilities of staying open beyond October, especially in the resort areas. "Whoever can open will open. Restaurants which are better organised and have a network of local clients will hold out." He believes that restaurants in tourist areas want to stay open after the end of the season, "whenever the situation allows it". (This said, very few ever do.)

Business in the high season, Ferrer explains, determines whether restaurants remain open or not. "If they have had a good season, they may well open in winter. But if they haven't, they will think twice."

It's a similar story in the retail sector. Carolina Domingo of the Pimeco association says: "Shops that have a bad season will simply not open. We are back to where we were years ago, with many parts of the island almost without activity in the winter months."

Also in News

Looking for a property in Mallorca? Check out Sa Pobla.

Where to bag a bargain property in Mallorca as Spanish property prices reach record levels

Justin Bieber gets stuffed at his favourite Mallorca bakery: He and wife Hailey couldn’t resist the best croissants in the centre of Palma

Mallorca bus drivers threatening indefinite strike this month

Mallorca nightlife hit by lower tourist spending and changing social trends

2 comments

To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in

Myself | 10 months ago

Stan The ManThe 90 day rule isn’t the problem. They would now need a work permit and for that to be granted the employer has to prove there are no suitable candidates from the whole EU with the necessary qualifications. That would be practically impossible for those kind of jobs. Brexit, the gift that keeps on giving!

Answer

I like it0

I don't like it1

Stan The Man | 10 months ago

Before BREXIT , many young people came from Britain to work as waiting Staff in Restaurants etc. They could work for the whole Season. Now under the 90 day rule, it is a non viable occupation. Contributing to the lack of staff.

Answer

I like it29

I don't like it3