17 Sponsored by: ll about A Vol. 10 Issue 235 www.theolivepress.es March 16th - March 29th 2016

It’s still the place to buy British... but these days Gibraltar offers the best high-street brands alongside Where have all smaller family-run businesses, writes Tom Powell the queues gone? More than THE go-slow and restrictive checks by Spanish Customs offi- cials have been greatly reduced over the last year. The stop and start horror stories of three summers ago have all but dissipated and getting in and out is much easier these days. Marmite at The frontier has been upgraded, new lanes have been added and, generally, with the exception of rush hour - going in between 8am to 10am and coming out after 4pm - you can get across the bor- der in around 10 minutes. If you are still concerned, you Morrisons can also keep an eye on the exit into Spain by checking the online webfeed: www.frontierqueue.gi and you can also check what the estimated queuing times are at @gibraltarborder or #gibfrontier

TIMELESS: Main street has always HERE was a time when British expats in Spain worth the trip to ‘Britain in the Sun’ during the late del Sol while Gibraltar has developed into an alto- been an important commercial merely relied on the Rock for their home com- 20th century, when Morrisons supermarket virtually gether more sophisticated shopping experience. hive and (below) is crammed full of forts. achieved tourist attraction status. The downtown area has undergone a spectacular historic, attractive buildings Gibraltar was a Godsend where foreigners In fact, even the biggest names from the glory days regeneration, complete with floral hanging baskets Tcould get their fix of British classics to chase away of the Costa del Crime raved about the convenience and smart black and gold signposts. any homesick blues. of being able to nip over the border for a pork pie In convivial Casemates Square, chilled cafes set up Yorkshire tea bags, cheddar cheese, Marmite and and a tin of Ovaltine. inside the battlement walls spill out onto an expan- Heinz baked beans were just some of the favourites Nowadays, you can buy British all along the Costa sive, sunlit plaza while bustling Main Street boasts shops to rival any traditional British high street, with Mediterranean sunshine thrown in. Just don’t walk more than three abreast along this narrow, cobbled thoroughfare, especially when there’s a cruise ship - or three - in port! Here you will find big name brands such as Marks & Spencer, BHS and The Early Learning Centre, as well as Next, Pandora, Boux Avenue, Holland and Barrett, Dorothy Perkins and F&F. Something for everyone But they are interspersed with locally-owned and WITH its mix of high-street brands and in- new Bistro 292 opposite. family-run emporiums selling everything from duty- dependent, family-run stores, Gibraltar has Take time to walk up some of the lanes and free perfumes and cameras to cuddly toy monkeys. something for everyone. side streets off Main Street to explore. It’s Clone town it is not. Shops like Stagnetto’s have one of the best a different world up there. You never know The recent opening of high-end jewellery store Ca- selections of wines, spirits and cigars you what you might find. denza is a clear indicator of where Gibraltar is head- will find anywhere in the world. Engineers Lane, Bell Lane or Irish Town ed (Oxford Street-sur-Med), with no less than Chief They know the owners of the vineyards and are all less crowded and are the preferred Minister, Fabian Picardo, cutting the ceremonial red distilleries personally and customers come routes taken by locals who want to get from tape. to visit from all over the world. one end of town to the other in a hurry. Of course, a fully-stocked Morrison’s still has some Stuck for ideas on what present to buy? After a morning wandering down Main Street specific treats the Costa del Sol cannot keep up with, Look no further than All Wrapped Up, which why not drop into one of the restaurants for while Eroski has recently started offering an extend- is just after Marks & Spencer going towards some coffee or a light lunch. In Irish Town, Corks ed range of Waitrose products. the law courts. and Sacarello’s, which has brewed coffee The obvious draw for shoppers is Gibraltar’s VAT-free The Jury’s is unsurprisingly a favourite for 150 years, are local institutions, while status and we’re not just talking about tobacco and hang out for barristers and their cli- Cafe Solo and Lord Nelson in Casemates alcohol. You can also save 21% on luxury items like ents, but if there is no space try the Square take some beating. perfume and designer sunglasses. And with zero import duty on electronic goods, computer software, DVDs and CDs and reduced duty for watches, jewel- Continues on Page 19

19 ll about Gibraltar A March 16th - March Top tips for Shop ‘til you drop! shopping in From Page 17 Gibraltar lery, clothing and mobile phones, there are calls due this year. sational bargains to be had. Many Main Street shops are run by the di- views and Barbary macaques, of course. UROS are not legal tender Plus, as the currency is British Sterling – al- rect descendants of the families who found- St Michael’s Cave, Gibraltar’s spectacular in Gibraltar but virtually all though with specific notes – UK bank cards ed Gibraltar as a trading destination during stalagmite-strewn concert venue, and the Eshops will accept them. can be used without the 1800s, thanks to its strate- siege and wartime tunnels that riddle the But beware that if you pay in incurring exchange rate gic location. limestone rock like holes in Swiss cheese, euros you are accepting the ex- losses. In contrast to these old curiosi- are other boxes to tick. change rate charged by the trad- Meanwhile, although By cable-car, ty shops, the ICC Centre - where The neanderthals at the Gibraltar Museum, er and this may be very different Spanish as well as Eng- you will find the excellent Aimee the leafy Alameda Gardens, historic Trafal- from the rate used by banks. lish and the local ‘’ taxi or Shanks’s Jay shop - offers undercover gar cemetery, the ghosts at the Moorish There is no legislation to gov- patois are all spoken, pony, a trip to the mall shopping, spread over two Castle… they are all other great excuses to ern this and traders are free to opening times aren’t floors, with multi-storey parking leave the ladies to their spending spree and charge whatever rate they like. at the mercy of the si- top of the Rock on top. escape, if shopping is not your bag! Therefore, it would be better to esta in the same way as But what truly turns shopping And if ye olde British pub is more your style, change any euros into sterling Spain’s. is a must in Gibraltar into a star attrac- you’ll find plenty of those on and off Main at a bank locally or at one of the Most shops open on tion are the extra-curricular Street and in Casemates Square selling many exchange kiosks on Main Sundays, especially activities. draught lager and bitter and traditional pub Street. HM BIN CLEANER: The when there is a cruise ship in town - an in- Whether by cable-car, taxi or Shanks's pony, grub. If you pay in euros your change bins even get cleaned on creasingly frequent occurrence, with 227 a trip to the top of the Rock is a must for sen- For something a little more Mediterranean, will be in sterling. Main Street immaculate Ocean Village over UK sterling is legal tender in the road from Casemates boasts Gibraltar, but beware, Gibraltar more waterfront restaurants than pounds are NOT legal tender in you can shake a knife and fork the UK. A family day out on the Rock at, along with the opportunity to If you are going to a restaurant dine at swanky La Sala Gibraltar and want to pay in euros, ask aboard the Sunborn Yacht Hotel. what the exchange rate is BE- Afterwards, you can doze off FORE you order your food. Moorish lunch in front of your favourite If you think the rate is too high Castle English movie at King’s Bastion then you can choose to go Leisure Centre or, if you still have elsewhere or go and change THE medieval for- energy, challenge the family to a some money into sterling. Most tification known as lively game of 10-pin bowling. bars and restaurants offer a the Alternatively, leave the kids at reasonable exchange rate but looms over Case- home and save the money you don’t be caught out. It is too mates Square like an didn’t spend on that new pair of late once you have eaten your ancient watchman, jeans for the Admiral Casino. food and you are presented and is particularly at- Gibraltar may no longer be the with a bill charging you a rate tractive when lit up at quintessential Yorkshire tea shop of €1.50 to the £1. You could night. A trip around that first attracted Costa del Sol’s also pay by credit card although the Tower of Hom- expats but it’s comforting to know sometimes there is a minimum age and Gate House you can still get it, along with trol- charge so again, check before make for a fascinat- ley loads of family fun! you place your order. ing trip back in time. TRAFALGAR Cemetery radiates patriotism, with its nearby iconic statue of Admiral Nelson whose body was brought to the Rock after his Med steps heroic death. THOSE looking to stretch their legs will find no better path than the Med Steps, a fantastically varied old THE windswept south- route which twists and ern tip of Gibraltar is turns up the Rock starting the polar opposite of from Jew’s Gate. It takes the busy town centre. in tunnels, hundreds of old Think quaint light- stone steps and magical house, cottages, aban- views across the Straits of doned cricket pitch Gibraltar to Morocco. and wide open spaces, with a small cafe and play park next to the bus stop. New last year, this is also now the lo- cation of Gibraltar’s Upper Rock Nature reserve university. NO visit to Gibraltar is complete without a trip up the Rock, but the Barbary Macaques are not the only delight waiting to be discovered. The spectacular St Michael’s Cave is an unfor- gettable site, with its deep stalactite-dripping caverns. While the Great Siege Tunnels at the other end of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve provide a fascinating glimpse into Gibraltar’s military history, and a stark reminder why the Rock was so impenetrable. THE quaint fishing village of Catalan Bay is the Cable car Alameda antithesis of modern, buzzing Ocean Village. Gardens Located on the eastern side of the Rock, it con- IF you don’t fancy sists of a motley collection of coloured homes the gruelling hike, AT the heart of Gibraltar is bookended by the classy . It is the by far the best way the oasis that is Alameda perfect place to escape the humdrum and un- to get to the top of Gardens, also known as the wind with a quiet drink overlooking a charming the Rock is by the Botanical Gardens. They beach. Unless it’s summer, when the place is cable car which de- ooze tranquility and are im- positively packed! parts from MidTown. maculately maintained, pro- The views are sen- viding a wonderful shaded sational, as long as spot to stroll. youre not scared of heights! 20 ll about A Gibraltar March 16th - March 29th 2016 Our country

needsN our thriving and modern EU! small nation, native Gibral- In an exclusive heart-felt plea, Chief Minister Fabian tarians and people from Picardo QC welcomes visitors to the Rock… and calls for Britain, Europe, and further Iflung corners of our planet, expats to vote to stay in the European Union have been living and working together for over 300 years. ister in Britain over the past 15 but I would say that Brexit is ing our peace and prosperity. So I always feel a little ambiva- years, and have therefore been simply about the practical re- In practical terms, you will all lent about the description ‘ex- enfranchised. alities of a huge and costly be wondering what will hap- pat’ which sounds rather out- We in Gibraltar will be voting divorce. pen to medical services and dated after so many decades en masse to stay, and I would This, in circumstances in which pensions, if the EU is no longer within the European Union. urge you all to also vote to re- Prime Minister David Cam- there to ensure you receive the The fact that many of you come main EU citi- eron has already same payments and services over regularly to the Rock to zens. shown it is not as you would at home in your share in our diet of British In Spain If Brexit does impossible to member state, the UK. sausages, Sunday roasts and alone there occur the reality reverse many of Don’t let it happen. Let’s avoid a pint down at the pub, is per- are some the issues that these pointless risks. haps a simple reminder of the 319,000 po- would be a whirl annoy us. If Brexit does occur the reality fact that British values and tra- tential Brit- of slow, chaotic, The way the EU would be a whirl of slow, prob- ditions are very much alive in ish voters. conducts its ably chaotic, horse trading and UNITED: Picardo and (right) Olive Press editor Jon Clarke all our hearts. The Rock has horse trading business can be negotiating. is not about survival, but it is plus questions that can be But of course, those values 23,000. changed, and we It’s unlikely that any state will about economics and quality avoided by joining in protecting are not just down to nosh. De- All of us can steer Europe offer a service or facility to now of life. our common interest and vot- mocracy and fair play are just a share similar concerns. and our national sovereignty in ‘foreign residents’ that is not We in Gibraltar will fight on and ing to remain part of a dynamic couple of the traits that under- We also face real uncertain- the direction we choose, but equally reciprocated by the UK, prosper. But why break some- Europe. pin our way of life. ties, given that the British only if we remain members. say, for Spaniards working and thing that only needs fixing? Please use your right to vote. Many of you will be able to vote Government itself has stated I suspect that those of us living living there. Would Spain and/or the new ‘Stay’ and enjoy your life under in the coming referendum as unambiguously that Brexit is a in continental Europe have a Depending on who is in power EU want us all to have Schen- this splendid southern sun. UK nationals living abroad who step into the dark. deeper sense of the important in Madrid, Gibraltar could face gen visas? And the best of British luck to have been on the electoral reg- I don’t believe in ‘Project Fear’, role the EU plays in underwrit- uncertainty at the border. It That’s just one in a thousand- us all! Shining example The Budhrani family has been selling jewellery on Main Street since 1918 – and the business is still growing AKE a stroll down Main Street and you’ll Diamonds, which can be set for customers walk past no less than seven jewellery within two hours. The team of fully qualified stores owned by the Essardas Group. Gemologists will assist you every step of the Come back in the summer and there’ll way. It also sells a fine selection of gold, dia- Tbe eight. mond and gemstone set jewellery, along with This family-run firm is very much part of the dozens of prestigious brands of watches which fabric of the Rock and has been growing and include Hublot, Chopard, Zenith, Ulysse Nardin prospering here since 1918 when, through and Gucci to name a few. the ties between Gibraltar and the Common- Another factor in the family’s success is its wealth, Indian businessman Essardas Budhra- strong focus on customer service, using the ni arrived to set up shop. simple motto ‘treat your customer the way you Essardas had 11 children, and his large, hard- expect to be treated’. working family was able to keep the business And then there is the location: the lively, pe- going through two world wars and one border destrianised Main Street, the perfect spot. closure. “Main Street is a great shopping destination,” His three great-grandsons who currently drive agrees Vikram. “It is extremely safe, and has the business forward are confident the busi- that charming high street atmosphere which ness will still be expanding when it hits its has been lost in the UK, but is stronger than 100th anniversary in two years’ time. ever in Gibraltar.” “We are a very, very strong family unit,” they Of course, Gibraltar has the added benefit of say. “The key to our success is that we truly of- being a tax-free jurisdiction - NO VAT, ‘mean- fer something for everyone, whether the bud- ing greater value offer here than across the get is €30 or €30,000.” border’. The Essardas Group prides itself on being able For more information visit www.essardas- to offer extensive collections of certified Loose group.com

PERFECTLY PLACED: Essardas on Main Street for nearly 100 years ESTABLISHED 1918

TAX-FREE SHOPPING G R O U P

GIBRALTAR OFFICIAL RETAILER:

FINE WATCHES & JEWELLERY

MARCO BICEGO

DIAMONDS

OUR STORES:

JUST DIAMONDS, 15 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 51018 RADHIKA, 60 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 63360 CERTIFIED DIAMONDS: ESSARDAS, 64 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 78441 HOURSTYLE, 105 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 66121 CROWN JEWELS, 121 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 77756 GIA JEWELS & GEMS, 122 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 48841

PANDORA BOUTIQUE, 133 MAIN STREET, T: +350 200 77752

E: [email protected] W: WWW.ESSARDASGROUP.COM PERFECTLY PLACED: Essardas on Main Street for nearly 100 years 22 ll about Gibraltar A March 16th - March 29th 2016 Gibraltar is number one for bowling and movies at King’s Bastion Leisure Centre Strike! HEN it comes to bowling, Gibral- Advance bookings can be made for chil- and Gibraltar complies with pleasure. tar scores a strike. dren’s parties and corporate events. The King’s Bastion Leisure Centre has two cin- The Rock’s bowling alley is a weekday cost is a steal at £3 per per- ema screenings rooms, one with 99 seats MEMORIAL: Europa Point tribute hugely popular venue for chil- son per game, rising to £4 at weekends. and the other, 136. Both have disabled Wdren’s birthday parties, and it’s great for Wheelchair access is available. access. adults looking for an alternative to sitting Those who are really serious about their Normally four films are shown each day, around in the same old bars. bowling can join the Gibraltar tenpin bowl- ranging from family entertainment to the Monumental King’s Bowl & Bar is at the King’s Bas- ing association. latest blockbuster thriller, along with 3D tion Leisure Centre. It has 14 lanes and is It’s tantamount to a law that where there spectaculars for the full, immersive experi- conspiracy open until midnight every day. are bowling alleys there must be cinemas, ence. NOT a lot of people know that Europa Point showcases a monu- ment to a former Polish Prime Minister who lost his life in a freak plane crash on the Rock. Did you know? Wladyslaw Eugeniusz Sikorski died in 1943, when his plane • The height of the Rock is approximately 426 metres or 1400 crashed into the sea just 16 seconds after taking off from Gi- feet braltar Airport. • The distance between Gibraltar and the coast of Africa is 24 At the time, the crash was attributed to cargo moving to the back kilometres or 15 miles of the plane during takeoff. • The Rock was formed approximately 200 million years ago and But several conspiracy theories are still doing the rounds today. is composed of Jurassic Limestone Shoddy maintenance causing the controls to jam, a deliberate • The UK pound can be used freely in Gibraltar, so there is no crash-landing from the pilot (the only surviving passenger) are need to convert UK notes to Gibraltar ones. However, Gibraltar two of the most popular. banknotes are not legal tender in the UK and will not be ac- And recently, various articles and films produced in Poland have cepted there claimed the general was murdered. • In recent referendums the nearly 30,000 who live In 2008 the Polish government ordered a reassessment of the on the Rock voted overwhelmingly to reject any involvement by accident, but could not reach a conclusion. Spain in their government One thing is certain: in the months before his death, Sikorski was • Queen Elizabeth II last visited Gibraltar in 1954 proving to be a thorn in the side of the Russians as he promoted • The border was closed by Franco in 1969 and was shut for 13 ROYAL VISIT: Queen in an independent Poland. CLOSED DOWN: Franco shut border years, only reopened partially for pedestrians in 1982 before 1954 being reopened fully in 1985 Get Creative Easy to clean easel, double-sided chalk board and white board

Includes paper roll and I’m 4 paints new

Forest friendly Doodle wooden all the easel way to the bottom

Library Street,Gibraltar +35020041166 THE NATURAL WONDERS

REQUEST A BROCHURE visitgibraltar GIBRALTAR TOURIST BOARD e: [email protected] @visit_gibraltar t: +44 (0) 207 836 0777 w: visitgibraltar.gi @visitgibraltar

Image: The Reenactment Society, Main Street

#VISITGIBRALTAR www.theolivepress.es3324 33 the Olive Press33 November 11th - 25th 2015 33 ll about A Gibraltar March 16th - March 29th 2016 Have a coke and a smile as Gibraltar’s apes get ever cheekier and more of a menace, writes Tom Powell Sticky Photos by Jon Clarke by Photos MAJESTIC: An ape at the top of the Rock and (inset) businesscopy inspecting a Coke can RABBING food out of bags, snatch- Last year, one Gibraltar family came back ing someone’s glasses and sneak- from work to find that their kitchen had been ing through a kitchen window... but raided. this one takes some beating. “It was a huge shock. They had taken a lot GThis little monkey has a penchant for all of food and made a hell of a mess,” said a things sweet, including a can of coke. friend. Now numbering around 300, the Barbary Ma- Environment minister Dr , a biolo- caques are the only wild monkeys in Europe. gist, warned that they have ‘lost their fear of A major tourist attraction, but also at times a humans’, at the launch of a 2012 Govern- vicious menace, and, according to folklore it ment campaign to increase public awareness has long been claimed that Gibraltar will no of their dangers. longer be British if the monkeys leave. Traditionally Gibraltar’s most famous resi- Winston Churchill certainly appeared to be- dents have roamed free on the rock’s upper lieve so, shipping over extra macaques from reaches, but a cull of 25 was ordered in 2008 North Africa when their population fell to just when they began to descend upon the tourist seven during the Second World War. hot-spots of Catalan Bay and Sandy Bay. Signs have sprung up warning people to steer With the monkeys now making themselves at clear of the monkeys and feeding them is ille- home in the built-up areas, some tourists and gal, punishable by a fine, yet attacks continue residents are calling for stricter measures to to grow more and more frequent. avoid attacks. FINE: For feeding monkeys

Women Men Children Main Street Gibraltar 3434 the Olive Press November 14th - 25th 2016 www.theolivepress.es25 ll about Gibraltar A March 16th - March 29th 2016 March 2nd - March 15th 2016 T’S the perfect symbol for enduring love; a Rock so solid that nothing can break Gibraltar it down. has all the IAnd for decades Gibraltar has been luring couples in from the facilities to the world over to tie the knot. Marry in John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s create an rather impromptu registry of- unforgettable fice affair is the most famous, but many other celebrities wedding have followed suit. Names include Hollywood style couple Lawrence Harvey and Margaret Leighton, best-selling Pocket of crime writer Frederick Forsyth, Status Quo frontman Rick Parfitt and comedian Des O’Connor. Although James Bond actor patriotism Sean Connery’s 1962 Gibral- tar wedding to actress Diane

ESPITE its name, Cilento ended in divorce, he Photo by Jon Segui Trafalgar cemetery was sufficiently shaken and is home to just two stirred to return in 1975 to Caption victims of 1805’s al- marry present wife Micheline Dmighty battle. Boglio Roquebrune. Instead, many tombstones Of course, there are also thou- commemorate those who HERO: Statue of Nelson sands who descend on Gibral- died in three devastating yel- tar every year to celebrate the low fever epidemics around for a state funeral and burial at happiest day of their life who the same time. St Paul’s cathedral. aren’t famous. PICTURE PERFECT: Wedding snap on Alcaidesa beach Nonetheless, this tiny pocket However, he was initially taken to Interestingly, only around one of Gibraltar still radiates pa- Gibraltar’s Rosia Bay, in his ship third of couples are from the UK. The other hotels, including the O’Callaghan Eliott in ting tribute to my entire team,” said man- triotism. Its moss-covered HMS Victory, where his body was two thirds comer from America, Canada the town centre and . ager Fernando Valdivielso Gomez. graves and low-hanging put in a vat of rum to conserve it, and the world over. For a more natural and tranquil setting, Finally there is , a former resi- branches could tempt anyone before being sent to the UK. The Rock is a simple, quick (only 24 hours head to Alameda Botanical Gardens. First dence of the Royal Navy’s senior officer, in for a moment of reflection. But the connection goes deeper, notice is required) and easy place to wed, developed in 1816 to provide Gibraltar’s which boasts wonderful gardens. The cemetery was abandoned before his heroic death Nelson plus it’s almost guaranteed sunshine and residents with a green space to rest and Weddings in Gibraltar have become a sig- for many years until a huge res- would have been a regular on there’s no shortage of top venues to cel- relax, they have grown into a place of se- nificant part of the tourist trade, and thus toration effort in the 1980s. the Rock, especially at naval ebrate afterwards. rene beauty. services have blossomed to cater for that. Each year on the Sunday clos- haunts like the Victualling Yard One of the best is Queensway Quay, where At their heart is the Dell, an Italian-style Professional photographers, makeup art- est to the battle of Trafalgar and Old Naval Hospital. the Waterfront restaurant offers a special garden designed in 18420, where wed- ists and florists can be easily arranged, (October 21), the Royal Navy And it was his close friend Aaron wedding service, including a mouthwater- dings are also permitted. either through the venue or externally. holds a ceremony here. Cardozo – a wealthy Gibraltar- ing menu. (Lobster thermidor and choco- If it’s unbeatable views you’re after, Mons The government website offers informa- While most of those that died ian merchant – who inherited late fondue, anyone?) Calpe Suite is located within the Cable tion on marriage in Gibraltar and the re- at Trafalgar were buried at Nelson’s medal commemorat- It’s the perfect place to unwind after a cer- Car’s top station. “It is a very special ven- quirements, while enquiries can also be ad- sea, Lord Nelson’s body was ing his victory in the Battle of the emony in one of Gibraltar’s top-quality, ful- ue which has now been recognised by a dressed to the Registration Office or recog- transported back to London Nile. ly licensed wedding venues which includes leading wedding magazine, which is a fit- nised travel agents and wedding planners.

Take control Abacus is now offering Qualifying of your Recognised Pension Schemes retirement (QROPS). dreams CEO Chris Pitaluga commented, “We have been contemplating entering the pension market for some time and are delighted to launch the Prosperity QROPS, our first QROPS under the Abacus branding.” He further commented, “Abacus is committed to Gibraltar as a jurisdiction and we aim to attract the highest quality introducers as part of our long term plan.” Our Prosperity QROPS could be of benefit to you if you currently have a UK Registered Pension scheme and are living abroad or intend to do so. Deciding on the right pension plan is a fundamental part of retirement planning and will have a significant impact on your retirement lifestyle.

Why not benefit from the following? • Increased tax efficiency. • Wider investment control and flexibility. • Income withdrawals from age 55. • Exemption from the UK Lifetime Allowance test. • Pass on your pension fund to future generations. • The simplicity of consolidating all your UK pensions into one QROPS. If you, or your independent financial adviser, feel that a QROPS may be the right solution for you to achieve your retirement aspirations, please contact us. We are here to help. OUR PROSPERITY QROPS CAN MAKE IT A REALITY

For further Information contact: For further Information contact: Joanne Rodriguez or Erica Power Joanne Rodriguez or Erica Power Abacus Pensions Trustees Limited (Gibraltar Office) Abacus Pensions Trustees Limited (Gibraltar Office) T: +350 200 78267 Ext 530 T: +350 200 78267 Ext 530 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

© Abacus Financial Services Limited Licensed by the FSC no.702481 © Abacus Financial Services Limited Licensed by the FSC no.702481 www.abacus.gi www.abacus.gi www.theolivepress.es the Olive Press November 11th - 25th 2015 35

Get Married on Gibraltar`s Waterfront! A Traditional British Wedding at the gate of the Mediterranean

· Wedding Menu · “The Waterfront is an approved venue for the celebration of civil marriages and civil partnerships in Gibraltar. Please call 200 45666 for a personal consultation with our friendly team” STARTeR Crispy serrano ham on a garlic croute topped with quails eggs Herb crusted lamb cutlets served with a crispy leek & artichoke salad King prawns wrapped in smoked pancetta drizzled with watercress dressing

MAIN COURSE Fillet steak with boulangere potatoes & bernaise sauce Lobster thermidore served with wild rice & market fresh salad Pan seared salmon served with asparagus, almondine potato and champagne & chive sauce

DESSERT Chocolate fondue with homemade salted caramel ice cream Millionaire’s cheesecake Cheese board & biscuits

4/5 Ragged Staff Wharf, Queensway Quay, Gibraltar · +350 200 45666 Email: [email protected] www.thewaterfrontgib.com "Quote the code "LOVE2016" when contacting The Waterfront to receive your exclusive reader discount or special gift." 36 36 26 ll about WedA- Gibraltar ding speMarch 16th- - March 29th 2016 March 2nd - March 15th 2016

HISTORY

GUARANTEED! FAMOUS FACES: (from left) Guinness, Churchill and Flynn have all stayed at The Rock Hotel (above) The grand dame of Gibraltar The RROL Flynn, Alec Guinness and Win- that opened in 1932. the sensitivity towards the historical design of Rock Hotel has put up everyone from ston Churchill are just some of the fa- The hotel’s famous brilliant white façade is the original building. mous names that appear in the guest seen for miles around and boasts a beautiful “The hotel’s 1930’s origins are evident in the Winston Churchill to Errol Flynn books for the Rock Hotel, an institution reception and entrance lobby which reflects subtle colours and timeless decoration com- E bining an element of the colonial with more contemporary touch- es”, explains General Manager Charles Danino. These days the hotel prides itself on exceptional customer service as well as the highest level of food, beverages, event and din- ing experiences. It is a top class The long arm hotel to be enjoyed by the local corporate and leisure communi- ty as well as the global traveller. Head Chef Alfred Rodriguez, 57, has been with The Rock Hotel since his late teens, HONOURED: while also having spent some time away working on the QE2 Gomez and for the Roux brothers at of the law! London’s Michelin-starred Le Gibraltarian barrister Charles Gavroche. Gomez is healing border tensions “I am always looking for new dishes to create with a high qual- as he makes history with Spanish ity and selection of ingredients University honour, writes Rob Horgan available through local suppliers as well as from Morocco,” he says. BARRISTER is leading the way in improv- “The uni- The Rock Hotel offers comfort- ing border relations with Spain. versity is able bedrooms and a new con- Charles Gomez has made history as the a great ference and banqueting facility first Gibraltarian to be appointed an example and private terrace which adds Ahonorary professor by a Spanish university. of how to the hotel’s already extensive Working with the University of Cadiz over the Spain and is confident that the University exterior space, which includes past few years, Gomez is hoping his accolade Gibraltar of Gibraltar will forge closer ties the much loved Wisteria Terrace, is a sign of better relations between the neigh- can work with Cadiz university over the which has been enhanced offer- bouring countries. together next few years. ing an al fresco venue for all-day Awarded for his work within the faculty of in- through education.” In fact, The University of Cadiz has taken a spe- dining. ternational law in Cadiz, Gomez told the Olive He added: “The most exciting thing about work- cial interest in Gibraltar, holding a lecture on Corporate events can be held on Press he was truly humbled by the award. ing at the university, is that they view the re- the Rock every year since 1980. the private Sunset Terrace and “It was a massive surprise for me,” he ex- gion - Andalucia, Gibraltar and northern Moroc- “From next semester I hope to hold lectures at Victory Suite as well as the pool plained. “Obviously it is great to be personally co - as one place. the for students in Ca- in the evening and the Khaima recognised but the award says just as much “The general consensus is that politics should diz,” he continued. poolside marquee. about the university as it does about my own not interfere with progress and research, espe- “It would be great to see other Spanish univer- Visit www.rockhotelgibraltar.com achievements. cially in relation to international law.” sities team up with Gibraltar in order to share Gomez, who found- each other’s resources.” ed his law firm Go- Currently working on two projects, Gomez mez and Co in 1988, hopes to publish a paper on the political cam- has been holding paigns since August 2013 and a historical look- lectures on English back at the political set up on the Rock since legal language at the 18th century. the university, as As well as a running a busy and varied court well as other parts practice and providing advice on all matters of of Andalucia for Gibraltar law, Gomez’s company also special- Spanish law stu- ises in conveyancing and property law. dents. With a department dedicated to property law, He also hosts lec- Gomez and Co. provides a competitive fast- turers closer to track scheme to ensure that the purchase, sale home at the Garri- or lease of property always runs smoothly. son library at differ- Serving Gibraltar’s two largest trading compa- ent times through- nies as well as a number of smaller firms, Go- out the year. mez also represented the government when the Now Gomez, who is Rock was slandered in Spanish daily ABC last regularly involved year. in high level court For more information visit www.lawequitygibral- UNIS UNITED: In Cadiz and (above) Gibraltar cases on the Rock, tar.com LUXURIOUS: The hotel 27 283838 38 ll about Gibraltar A March 16th - March 29th 2016

JonL Clarkeunching picks out a selection of like a Lord interesting spots to eat on the Rock

WHERE TO EAT T’S the Gibraltar equiva- lent of Piccadilly Circus and there is no better place to watch the world go by than Ion Casemates Square. For fine dining on the square look no further than Café Solo, while if you are after pub grub then Lord Nelson is a complete winner. Steak and Ale pie is a person- al favourite, while the fish and chips and all day breakfast are very popular with hungry Another institution, also big visitors. on its coffee is Sacarello’s, There are loads of beers on in Irish Town, which has been draught and, naturally, all the serving up a decent brew for WATCH THE WORLD GO BY: At Lord Nelson best sporting events are on nearly two centuries. the screens. A true Gibraltar haunt for morning coffee, lunch, af- This is all thanks to current Bartholomew who founded don university, I ended up ternoon tea or supper, this boss Patrick Sacarello, 64, the existing business in 1888, coming back to coffee be- charming old spot also counts who is a huge art lover and following in the footsteps cause it’s such a beautiful on one of the best private art regularly travels to exotic of his Italian grandfather, a business.” collections on the Rock. countries to acquire his paint- trader, who had arrived on the For a more formal fine dining ings. Rock in 1817. experience you should head It was his great-grandfather “Although I studied at a Lon- to charming Queensway Quay, a milliowwnaires’ playground, where houses start around the £4.2 million mark. Excellent HISTORY HOUSE: Sacarello family (right) have brewed coffee Here, you will find the excel- for centuries lent Landings restaurant, which has counted John Prescott, First Minister Fabian Picardo and a variety of Coro- nation Street stars as guests. “We get a lot of wealthy yachtie types too,” explains owner Ann Hudson, who her- alds from the south coast of England. Last, but not least, the hottest place to dine is aboard the Sunborn hotel, where you will find La Sala. FINE DINING: La Sala on the Sunborn COFFEE SHOP & RESTAURANT Largest selection of draught beers on the Rock!

FULLY AIR CONDITIONED FREE WIFI AVAILABLE Try Our “Just Roasted” Family Coffee

Full menu served all day from the Oldest Coffee Shop in Town including British Fish & Chips Varied Lunch & Snack Menu · Salad & Quiche Bar HMS Victory All Day Breakfast Regional Specials & Pasta · Home-made Cakes · Afternoon Teas Nelson’s Steak & Ale Pie Busy Local Atmosphere & Arts Venue. All in a converted 19th Century Merchant’s House on the “Old Commercial Street” Salads - Wraps - Burgers & more 57 Irish Town · Gibraltar Find us in the corner of Casemates Square T. +350 200 70625 www.lordnelson.gi +350 200 50009 /Sacarellos-Coffee-shop www.sacarellosgibraltar.com 39 39 39 ll about Gibraltar 29 A March 2nd - March 15th 2016

YOU GET A FLAT. YOU GET TONS OF TOW-TRUCKS.

SMALL ON PRICE BIG ON SERVICE CAR INSURANCE

* TM € 60 CASHBACK CHANGE TO LÍNEA DIRECTA 902 123 282

*When you contract 2 policies. Valid for new car or bike policies only. Existing customers require one additional car or bike policy. Offer ends 31/12/16. Conditions apply. 30404040 the Olive Press November 14th - 25th 2016 www.theolivepress.es

Caption