Dear Sir,
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