Phoenix Nights/ Up The Pub

[EMM]

We do fall into the catergory of long term visitors spending an average of 120days year in Carvoeiro in all seasons.
We want it to be a vibrant lively holiday resort as the incomes of many of our neighbours depend on this.
There may be some long term members (regular holiday visitors ) of this forum wh are happy with the decline and being of a " certain age " have little interest in Carvoeiro attracting a younger visitor ( the under 50,s ).
However i think that they would soon join us on the barricades if their favourites, Ele and Ela, Hemmingways etc closed down and god forbd that the Roundup ever shut its doors.
Carvoeiro should never become a poor imitation of Albufeira but neither should it be the Algarve equivalent of Broadstairs although it might be amusing to see all the mobilty scooters tackling our hills.

[cereza]

Carvoeiro should never become a poor imitation of Albufeira but neither should it be the Algarve equivalent of Broadstairs although it might be amusing to see all the mobilty scooters tackling our hills.

Why pick on Broadstairs? It has seen better days because it has never been updated but young families still love it and it's not a place for mass mobility scooters - it always reminds me a bit of a Praia da Luz.

[EMM]

Eastbourne then

[cereza]

That's more like it

[HampshireRich]

Carvoeiro should never become a poor imitation of Albufeira but neither should it be the Algarve equivalent of Broadstairs although it might be amusing to see all the mobilty scooters tackling our hills.

CVO's charm has always been its unique character - it's definitely not an small Albufeira nor I believe would the majority of people who come on holiday want it to be.

These 2 places being the subject of this topic have always been difficult places to keep going and have had many owners in the past so it should be no surprise that they are closing again. I can only hope that they will re-open soon but I am at a loss as to what thet can do to improve business. Tourists obviously do not go there in great numbers as I know and I can only assume that residents don't either when the tourists have gone home. Karaoke was one of the main "attractions" for both properties but does not appear to have worked - the Phoenix has been a restaurant or restaurant/bar before - Up the Pub a sports bar before and still did not make it. Unfortunately, they are located in a residential area rather than somewhere like Restaurant Hill, so I would imagine live music would not be allowed - and I think the Jazz Club would also have a say in that.

I honestly can't think what would work for them - a "themed" business of some sort maybe, or really targeting families rather than just bar-trade, or go native "Algarvian" and celebrate the Algarvian way of life. Either way, like most of the businesses in CVO, they will rely on tourists and locals together during these economically difficult times if they are to continue.

[EMM]

The Irish Times has closed and the number of customers using bars such as Mungos and Brady's, just two examples are signficicantly down. Both these at one time had live music and attracted a mixed crowd of age groups. The future of Carvoeiro as a resort does not rest with the curent regulars but with new generations of visitors and it has to appeal to their requirements.

[HampshireRich]

The Irish Times has closed and the number of customers using bars such as Mungos and Brady's, just two examples are signficicantly down. Both these at one time had live music and attracted a mixed crowd of age groups. The future of Carvoeiro as a resort does not rest with the curent regulars but with new generations of visitors and it has to appeal to their requirements.

Of course they need numbers in from the tourists - but if all the locals sit indoors during the times when the tourist are not there - winter, depressions etc then these bars etc will close - they cannot economically sit empty for 2 - 3 months of the year. If the bars and restaurants are closed, the tourists will not come and the town will die - the bars, restaurants etc need local support.

[EMM]

As Roy indicated it is the short sighted views of Lagoa Camara , an area that does not rely to the same extent on tourism as other councils having no major resorts within =it that is the cause of much of the decline. If there is little to leave home for at night in the winter or walk/drive into town in the summer then Carvoeiro despite its many other attractions will continue to lose out. It has to have venues that attract those looking for some nightlife. Places to meet and mix with others of similar age groups and tastes.

[pato]

As Roy indicated it is the short sighted views of Lagoa Camara ,

And isn't Roy well qualified to make that statement.

[HampshireRich]

It has to have venues that attract those looking for some nightlife. Places to meet and mix with others of similar age groups and tastes.

So you end up with litle Albufeira - which is what you say you don't want! - can't have it both ways.

[EMM]

When we first started spending time in Carvoeiro 5 years ago it was a very different place than it is now. There were bars for the younger crowd and for those looking for more than just a quiet drink and a bit of people watching, Albufeira it was not. We have friends who live in the Algarve whose chidren and their friends ( not teenagers ) consider Carvoeiro as a place to avoid as there is nothing for them.

[joeysoap]

Agree with EMM. Holidaymakers who choose CVO for their holidays don't want Albufeira but do want a good time, with a bit of buzz about the place. And if they are disappointed one year they probably won't return. Don't see why the bar owners can't get together and petition the tourist authorities, with their facts and figures at the ready. The taxi owners might join them because if numbers drop or if holidaymakers staying nearby don't think it''s worth coming into town they too will suffer. Are there different rules for different cameras? That is one area the tourist board might like to take a look at.

[widge]

Carvoeiro should never become a poor imitation of Albufeira but neither should it be the Algarve equivalent of Broadstairs although it might be amusing to see all the mobilty scooters tackling our hills.

For the record and the benefit of guests who might be considering a holiday in Carvoeiro, there is a significant difference between Albufeira & Carvoeiro. For example one is exactly ten times bigger than the other ! Broadstairs is even larger !

[HampshireRich]

When we first started spending time in Carvoeiro 5 years ago it was a very different place than it is now. There were bars for the younger crowd and for those looking for more than just a quiet drink and a bit of people watching, Albufeira it was not. We have friends who live in the Algarve whose chidren and their friends ( not teenagers ) consider Carvoeiro as a place to avoid as there is nothing for them.

As I have said before, I have been coming here for over 20 years and seen lots of changes. My kids are now adults in their 20's and still want to come on holiday with us. They find plenty to do, and always have done - perhaps its because we stay at Monte Carvoeiro where you have the Jazz Club and Cocktail Garden - but they used to go into town - even to the dreaded "foam party". Every year I visit, there are lots of young people all over the place.

I get fed up with negative, humourless comments on this part of the forum - people moan if one or two of us go overboard a touch with "childish" humour but offer nothing in return - people go on about bars closing but never mention ones that open - people moan about the cost of eating out, and then stay in and cook their own food so do not support the restaurants and cafe's so they have to be dearer to keep going - etc, etc, etc again!!!!

Try being positive - CVO is a tourist resort in the Algarve where the sun shines, the beaches are great, the accomodation is great, the temperature can get hot so beware, the food is excellent and the beer is cold You can go on boat trips, to water parks, on jeep safaris, play golf, walk around spectacular scenery, meet nice people and generally have a ball.

So, dear casual visitor, I say again - ignore the miserable downbeats and come to Carvoeiro - you'll love it!!

[cereza]

Carvoeiro should never become a poor imitation of Albufeira but neither should it be the Algarve equivalent of Broadstairs although it might be amusing to see all the mobilty scooters tackling our hills.

For the record and the benefit of guests who might be considering a holiday in Carvoeiro, there is a significant difference between Albufeira & Carvoeiro. For example one is exactly ten times bigger than the other ! Broadstairs is even larger !

What's the beef with Broadstairs? No way is it bigger than Albufeira - it's just a sleepy little seaside resort that needs modernising now as do so many of it's kind. It certainly hasn't got as many bars as CVO !!! - Leave it alone