BRITISH tourists headed abroad for sunshine could see their drinks cut short after a pub in a tourist hot spot introduced a new rule.
The bold rule in Valencia gives diners 20 minutes before ousting the customer from their table in an attempt to increase profitability.
AlamyBrits have been warned of the timed rule[/caption]
AlamyOther Valencia pubs are said to be considering the rule[/caption]
Ximo Lorenzo, the manager of the Clandesti bar in Valencia, said he’s attempted other ways to stop customers from lallygagging but they failed.
He told Levante-EMV: “This is a cheap place where we had board games for people to play, but I’ve seen people arrive at 6pm, stay until 12pm and only order a coke. That’s not profitable.”
At first, Lorenzo said board game players were required to order a drink every 40 minutes, but customers didn’t listen.
He then limited glasses for shared drinks and dropped board games, which he said was a “shame”.
He said: “In general, people do have common sense and order several drinks if they are there for a long time.
“But on the days when we brought live music, some people came in to see the concert and didn’t drink anything, so I had to put up a compulsory consumption sign.”
The Valencian Hotel and Catering Federation said this kind of rule remains a rarity, and is not a “representative practice of the sector”.
They said: “It is within the business decision of each establishment, as long as they advertise it in a way that the client is aware of.”
Another man shared his frustrations after being rejected three-times by restaurants with plenty of free tables in Barcelona.
Resident Eudald said: “On the first terrace that I got a table, a waiter quickly arrived and told me that it was reserved. It was not.
“As soon as I got up, a group of foreigners who were behind me sat down,” he explained.
“In the next one, they warned me that I would only have 20 minutes. I specified that I wanted to have dinner, but they insisted that I should do it within that time frame.”
The latest crackdown comes as Brits heading to Spain were warned of a simple mistake which could land them with a £170 fine.
Cops are said to be keeping their eyes peeled for tourists who lack one thing in particular while behind the wheel – and it’s not what you’d think.
Brits are being warned to not strip off in the heat, as driving topless could see them slapped with a fine.
Majorca Daily Bulletin reported that while being shirtless isn’t illegal, Spanish law bans anything that impacts safe driving.