Shop local here in Mallorca

I’ve made plenty of mistakes, so after 35 years on the island, I thought I would share from my own tried and tested personal experience. My directory of services I could not be without. From my amazing air-conditioning expert, knife sharpening wizard, to my outstanding health food store, each approved and highly recommended. Do cut out this list and keep for future use. Now more than ever is the time to support our local shops and businesses.

1 PALMA AIR CONDITIONING
Don’t wait until the first heat wave to service your air-con! Recommended by a friend, I shall be forever grateful that Lee found time in his packed schedule to repair my air-con during a heat wave in the height of summer! That’s the sort of guy he is. He will do his utmost to help at a sensible cost. With over 20 years’ experience, all his work carried out to the highest of standards. Looking for an air-con installation, service or repair by a charming, reliable English-speaking expert then Lee is your man.

2 PERAS&PEARS
Health Food Store with tables to enjoy her nutritious snacks. This store is an absolute gem, a one-stop for all your health and nutrition needs. Not only are her fruit and vegetables exceptional quality, but she carries the most amazing variety of organic and vegan options together with gluten, lactose and sugar free products. Her delicious juice and smoothie bar a great takeaway point, offering healthy freshly prepared dishes including unusual salads, soups, wraps and tasty hot snacks. Even coffee and cakes. Home delivery on request for quality fresh fruit and healthy goodies. Tucked in the corner of what I call “Portals Nous Square” it is well worth a visit.

3 ADRIANA ALTERATIONS & DRESSMAKING
This lady, opposite the Marina Portals Hotel in Portals Nous, is a master of alterations. There’s nothing she can’t do. Thanks to lockdown Adriana has been busy letting out some of my favourite outfits. She’s so inventive, often making a feature. I have a dress with new elegant side panels that you would never have guessed were there simply to enable me to do up the zip. Another time, she reduced my late mother’s elegant winter coat from a size 44 to a 38. Fortunately, she left enough material as I fear she’ll be letting it out again next season. She also takes in washing and ironing.

4 DOCTOR-KNIFE
New to Mallorca a unique mobile knife sharpening service. Not only expertly sharpening a wide range of knives for both domestic and commercial use, but also removing nicks in the blades and polishing them to look like new. Chef’s, Japanese, Damascus Knives as well as your daily kitchen knives. In fact specialising in sharpening all kinds of scissors and gardening tools. A veritable sharpening wizard!

5 DENISE BEAUTY, PORTALS NOUS
Getting groomed for the summer. A mani-pedi and a wax? Denise uses only top quality brands Guinot, Gelish, Biodroga, Revitalash, Sans Soucis, Shellac, Corpora and Montibello. For 31s years Denise has incorporated the newest technology using some of the best products on the market. Deep cleansing nourishing facials for all ages including Guinot’s much acclaimed Hydradermie and Age Summin to Montibello Hyalufeel Water Shot and Vitamin Treatment, all by highly skilled beauticians. A place where most importantly these days, you can trust absolute sanitisation and cleanliness. Denise herself is a qualified chiropodist and only employs the most qualified therapists. For me the pampering starts the moment I walk through the door, the tranquillity and wonderful aroma of the products.

6 PORTALS PREMIER LAUNDRY
First stop for specialist cleaning for all your clothes and household soft furnishings. Since new management took over in 2017, everything I have sent to be cleaned has come out like new. (Even a much-loved silky coat that I had inadvertently covered in oil.) The reason is not only staff care, but also their revolutionary state-of-the-art new machines with high-tech wash programs that can achieve virtual miracles. Also hailed as being the most eco-friendly on the market. I was especially impressed by my pillows coming back plumped up free of any lurking bugs. The wide range of cleaning services include ironing, in-situ rug and carpet cleaning and an antibacterial wash formula using highest quality products. They collect and deliver cleaning island wide, especially catering to the yachting industry, restaurants and hotels.

7 BODHANA WELLNESS CENTRE
Above Puerto Portals. A veritable haven for body and soul, for over 20 years Bodhana Wellness Centre has been on hand 7 days a week with a wide variety of treatments, massaging away painful muscles, easing tension, and generally promoting well-being. Always on call, are more highly trained therapists than necessary to accommodate spontaneous bookings and walk-in clients. Most popular is their 60– 90 minutes full body massage, a mixture of deep tissue and stress release massage, to ease knots and contractions, leaving you totally relaxed. Also specialising in the highest standard of holistic treatments one of my favourite being Reflexology. Their gift vouchers a highly appreciated present for all. Open 9:00-20:00 during the week: 11:00-19:00 on weekends. Combine beach time with the ultimate in pampering at their Balneario Illetas Beach Club open till November.

8 BAXTERS LIVIN
Graham Baxter opened his large new Estate Agent offices recently opposite the Marina Portals Hotel in Portals Nous. Graham founded Baxter Marine in Puerto Portals 30 years ago, and has been 40 years in the property business. His experience of local real estate exceptional, plus his enthusiasm to find the perfect property for each client; whether it be renting, buying or selling. “I love the business and am very knowledgeable of the values of real estate, together with new and second-hand yachts. “I like to help people live their dreams …it’s all about LIVIN!”

9 SALLY’S ANGELS
Are true to their name, giving comprehensive support and care from beginning to end of life. Including everything in between. Highly qualified nannies, babysitters and midwives. For the elderly, unwell or homebound there are trained nurses, carers and companions to help with all necessary to ensure independence and comfort at home. Recovering from a serious operation alone, my friend says she could not have coped without Sally’s service. Her Angel shopped, prepared food, drove her to hospital appointments and then translated. She even walked her dog. During lockdown her Angels were shopping and providing home care. When my elderly father fell, Sally painstakingly patched his complex wounds with such good humour Dad hardly felt the pain. These are real life Angels!

10 WEBBS INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS
For over 36 years Webbs have specialised in moving all types of goods between the UK and the Balearics. Taking in pride in being fully legal, licenced and reliable, they have painlessly moved endless family’s possessions in both directions. Each item carefully packing to ensure everything arrives in perfect condition. At present I am packing up both useful and sentimental items from my father’s home and shall be driving to their Kent warehouse too bring them on their next lorry to Majorca. Friendly and helpful, if you value your goods, Webbs are highly recommended.

11 TIP TOP MALLORCA
Has never disappointed me. For over 35 years offering top quality products, reliable experienced installation and helpful aftercare. They fitted my awnings brilliantly 15 years ago, and I am forever grateful for the special sound-proofed bedroom windows they recently installed that have been tested to the extreme. Together with the brilliant concertina mosquito doors. Indeed, they carry all the latest innovative products from sun protection to the highest specification German award winning Markilux awnings and Corradi Pergola systems. For variety, quality and advice I always advise Tip Top as the first stop.

12 RITA LAST INSURANCE
Last but not least; I have known Rita Last since she was the efficient manageress of a large insurance company on the island. Now with 20 years experience, she offers honest advice as she dedicates herself to each client, locating the most comprehensive bespoke insurance cover at the best price. Whether home, cars, boats or health insurance you can have total confidence in her in depth of knowledge and wise product advice.