IF you ignore the plush environment of his multi-million euro villa, the UK’s richest plumber Charlie Mullins may very well be any one of many hundreds of expats who reside on the Spanish costas.
His causes for transferring south are remarkably much like these of so a lot of his fellow countrymen, he informed the Olive Press over champagne and beer at his plush four-storey Costa del Sol residence.
Exuding an extremely relaxed angle to life, the person who made a fortune founding the UK’s most profitable plumbing enterprise explains that ‘persons are merely happier’ right here.
READ MORE: Buying Real Estate Guide for Expats in Spain: Tips & Advice
Again residence the place he bought his profitable Pimlico Plumbers agency for a cool €170 million in 2021, a ‘doom and gloom’ angle seeps into on a regular basis life.
And it’s getting worse, simply as many an expat will inform you.
His resolution to maneuver completely to Mijas in July following Labour’s current election win didn’t come out of nowhere.
Charlie had been mulling over the transfer for someday, having holidayed on the Costa del Sol for 20 years.
He has now taken the plunge and informed the Olive Press he’s actually having fun with the rather more ‘relaxed’ and ‘pleasing way of life.
“There’s a endless social life right here,” he insists, including ‘it’s 10 instances higher’ than again residence.
He attributes this primarily to the climate, in addition to the slower tempo of life between La Cala de Mijas and Marbella, the place he spends most of his time.
“Individuals are much more pleasant and welcoming right here,” he explains. “In truth I’ve obtained extra mates right here than within the UK.”
He provides that, in distinction, Brits are always involved with day-to-day points, which contributes to a miserable ambiance.
The frantic nature of life in Britain means he sees extra of his seven nice grandchildren and 11 grandchildren in Spain.
“They’ll come out right here for 2 weeks straight whereas if I’m going again to the UK, I’d solely see my household for half a day or a day at a time,” he explains.
He plans to remain in Spain indefinitely the place he significantly charges the culinary scene.
His favourite hospitality spot is the close by El Oceano Seaside Resort in La Cala, which can be frequented by a lot of his mates.
He additionally speaks extremely of Olivia’s La Cala and La Sala in Banus, which he describes as ‘all the time full of life’ and he was unhappy that one in every of his favourites, Villa Tiberio, has shut.
Mullins is especially drawn to such venues as a result of ‘individuals gown up’, and he enjoys the ‘unpredictability’ of whom he would possibly meet.
He explains how he might exit for a seemingly quiet breakfast however return residence at midnight after a day of unexpected socialising.
Regardless of his escape from the London rat race, like a real entrepreneur he’s maintaining busy.
He’s growing a number of villas within the upmarket Los Monteros space, close to Antonio Banderas’ former residence, whereas he’s additionally the non-executive chairman of a brand new firm, WeFix, within the UK.
He’s additionally staying extremely match, working as much as 5 instances every week with a private coach.
“You will get out within the daytime much more”, he says, and the higher climate encourages him to train extra.
Does he miss something about life in London, the place his previous plumbing agency employed over 400 individuals and turned over round €400 million?
In truth, no. He insists the town ‘hasn’t obtained that buzz anymore’ and misplaced its appeal when David Cameron stepped down as Prime Minister in 2016.
Fortuitously for him he has rediscovered that buzz once more right here in Spain
