Brits heading to Spain warned of shortage of holiday essentials

BRITS heading to Spain this summer are being warned to expect an ice shortage.

The problem is being blamed on the supply chain and increased demand due to the hot weather and tourism boom.

The holiday island of Majorca is one of the destinations suffering from ice shortages, which are occurring in various tourist and non-tourist areas of the island.

The most affected companies, according to the Spanish press, are supermarkets and petrol stations – with some limiting sales per customer.

Restaurants are not currently affected, the President of CAEB Majorca Restaurants, Alfonso Robledo said as they are served by the island factories which manufacture their own ice and had reserves from the winter.

Buying big packets of ice is commonplace in Spain unlike in the UK where Brits make their own ice in freezers, and according to Spanish newspaper, Ultimahora.es, the ice companies cannot keep up with demand.

A spokesman from Cubito Veloz said: “The demand for ice has increased by 50-60 per cent.”

It’s not the only change Brits can expect from a Spanish holiday this summer – even air conditioned places are going to feel warmer.

The Spanish government has moved to prevent air conditioning in shops, airports and other attractions from dropping below 27C.

The new measures have been introduced to reduce gas consumption due to the reliance on Russian supplies.

The hot weather has resulted in droughts across Spain, with a number of beaches being forced to close their showers in response.

From this week, they will be closed in three municipalities in the eastern stretch of the Costa Del Sol – Rincon de la Victoria, Velez-Malaga and Algarrobo.

Foot washes only will continue to function in the first two council areas alone.

This means Brits on holiday in Andalusia and Malaga will be subject to the new restrictions.

It’s not the only rule change being introduced at beaches in Spain.

Tourists who smoke on any of Barcelona’s 10 beaches now face fines after a ban on lighting up on the sand was approved.