Restaurant closing??

Just read on the other CDA website that the restaurant is closing or at least down sizing anyone heard anything? It will be a shame lets hope that its not true.

I too have heard the recent news.  As the restaurant is never that busy I can appreciate that Polaris wants to reduce its costs, however with more and more facilities closing e.g. the gym, the tennis courts and now the restaurant I am concerned what message this sends to visiting guests and property owners - that’s if there is any truth in this news.

Suggest we all start using the facilities more!

The problem Polaris have is that they think because they are the only ones on site that they don't have to provide a service that competes with others in the local area.

Other places tackle low usage of any business with revolutionary ideas like competitive prices and good friendly service.

Rather than shut the place down and not make a penny, they should lease the place out and generate some rental income, someone could turn half the restaurant into a bar and keep the other half serving food. I am sure with the right pricing and promotions, that place could generate enough income to survive the winter.

Its not surprising Polaris suffered financial trouble with their business aumen.

GOOD SHOUT DARREN UNFORTUNATELY WILL NEVER HAPPEN...WHEN DEALING WITH A COMPANY WHO ARE SO PIG IGNORANT THEY WOULD RATHER CLOSE THE PLACE THAN EARN AN INCOME WITH THAT BUSINESS SENSE IS IT ANY WONDER THEY ARE CLOSING I FOR ONE DID NOT RATE THE PLACE PAYING  TOP DOLLAR FOR VERY AVERAGE FOOD IS HARD TO STOMACH...ALTHOUGH I DO THINK ANOTHER PLACE CLOSING IS VERY  DISAPOINTING FOR ALL WHO USE IT AND LIKE IT...    

The basics for a good restaurants are:

- good price, good quality and a friendly staff !

and this restaurant is not able offering that !

There seems to be some truth behind this rumour, ive spoken with my key holder who lives on CDA and he confirmed that there is talk of the restaurant closing in 2 weeks due to the end of the Spanish holidays, one thing to note from the Jill & Terry site is that some days back they posted a photo and coments that a door entrance has been knocked through to the Clover, now this is just speculation on my behalf yet maybe just maybe this is so that when the restaurant closes its door food maybe available in the Clover via the restaurant.

Martin 

Lets be practical about this issue.

The resort has had a marvellous summer [ apart from the storm ]. Compared to 12 months ago, the number of people that I saw there, especially during the school holidays, was 3 fold to what i saw last year. Every time I visited El Kasar, the supermarket was busy,as were the bar and restaraunt at night.

However, the summer is drawing to a close, and CDA will become very quiet again, especially during the week. In my opinion, the numbers there will not be enough to support the restaraunt and the bar, and surely we understand that Polaris cannot afford to keep loss making operations open, especially during the current market downturn. Therefore the potential of a joint bar/restaraunt,as suggested at this time of year is the best option. As long as Polaris recognise the busy periods, and offer the service required during those periods, the resort will benefit long term, from sensible planning now.

Mark & Sandra, you say the restaurant is busier than a year ago, but it wasnt open a year ago. They only opened in October 2009. They managed to stay open last winter?

I think maybe Winter weekends with a reduced staff, could still be profitable, especially with the high prices and the fact that its the only restaurant within 5 miles.

Remember this is polaris - what do customers matter?

Barry

Personally I don't find the restaurant expensive when using the Polaris card. This card has been great for us and we have certainly had our moneys worth out if it so far. If I am honest its not my favourite Polaris restaurant but unfortunately my hands are tied with drink driving where else to go and if this is also closing over the winter months where else can we eat?

Darren,

I stand corrected on my dates re the restaraunt opening. However, my the point I was trying to make, was the fact that having been on CDA for a large part of the school holidays over the past 2 summers, was that footfall and numbers of people in general on the resort were significantly up on the same period last year. Like it or not, the resort is developing, people are going to it, and enjoying it.

If the restaraunt is to partially close, and operate on a reduced budget, this has to be prudent, given the small numbers of diners that I saw in there, on a couple of visits last winter.

The other forum has a leader on its front page regarding PW filing in Alhama for a permit to open a coffee shop at Condado. The location isnt identified. So may be bar meals  from the shared restaurant/Clover, a coffee shop and the Olagolf Club house for the Winter months. Unless the coffee shop and clubhouse are to be one and the same.

Won't be for Olagolf clubhouse. PW won't do that for a competitor!

Barry

Thought that myself really but was wondering if it was something complicated to do with the ownership of the bit of land the proposed golf club is to be set up on. There was talk that the delay to putting up the clubhouse was because PW had held onto that bit of land plus there's their policy of only PW owning, managing food and drink outlets. Either way it'll be good if it actually happens and if its in Al Kasar at least another unit will be fitted out and further improve the atmosphere of that big space.

from condadodealhamaservices.com

The Condado de Alhama Golf Resort located outside of Alhama de Murcia has posted on it’s window that Polaris World has decided to close the restaurant on September 6. The restaurant located inside the Al Kasar, stayed busy all season long, even turning away business because they were so busy. The decision to close was not stated on the flyer taped to the window, nor when it would reopen. With a majority of owners and holiday rentals coming to this Golf Resort from through out Europe, it leaves them with no other option for dining out on site. With tens of thousands to spend each month they have to go off site to spend it. Well, the good news is that other restaurants will be more than happy to take up the business left by the closing of this fine restaurant.

Spoke to Polaris CS on this who were not aware of the closure but indicated that it may be for the winter months only. This seems more likey as they have a large investment in layout of the Restaurant and it may make sense to close for this period while it is quiet. A bit disappointing for residents though! I think we still have along way to go at Condado and I think while  turning off the lights at the entrance and roadways is saving money,  it is not helping, as the impression is that the resort is now struggling. Maybe the club house will add some value if and when it arrives.

david

 I called this morning to PW Sales Office in Al-Kassar and the guy (Gonzalo) told me that  the restaurant would be closed only during the winter (because of the lack of customers). The Clover will serve some meals with 2 cookers for this (no idea of the menu).

He also told me that in la Torre, 7 restaurants (from 9) will also close during this winter to reduce costs.

I think this may sound reasonable.

Why do you people find this acceptable.

I hardly call the 6th of September winter. It is is 32 degrees outside.

I can understand closing it in October - November etc but that is far too early.

It's disgusting and you can not tell me that place does not make money.

COME AND BUY A POLARIS WORLD PROPERTY. WE CLOSE ALL THE FACILITIES YOU WILL HAVE AND DON'T BUILD HALF WE PROMISED YOU.

I can understand closing some facilities during the off season.

But it is the only facility for eating out...and given the time taken to get a drink at the bar I wouldn't fancy ordering food there. And who would be preparing the food.

Saving money is one thing...but surely they could open Thur-Sun or something similar.  They will not attract people to the resort when they have no facilities open.