Blogs: Jack takes us on a tour of Gibraltar

Post 32, March 2013

Jack Milner has finished his degree. He has recently moved to sunny Spain to pursue his career

Another blog, another instalment in the rollercoaster of emotional turbulence that is the life of Jack Jacob Milner. Oh what sweet irony it is that these blogs have now been ongoing for over three years, and so much has happened, and yet so little.

Recap? I am now eight months into my emigration to sunnier climbs, residing in sunny Spain just a 40-minute commute from Gibraltar, where I work for Victor Chandler/BetVictor, the largest external employer in the region.

Gibraltar is a funny old place, blessed with Spanish culture and mixed with British history and traditions. The locals are referred to as Gibraltarians, and have embraced both backgrounds, speaking in such a hybrid, to the point where they combine languages mid sentences.

My dad has often referred to Gibraltar as being like 'England in the 1980s', which is an understandable description, as unlike things back home, things are so uncomplicated, and common sense is a much more common quality. The roads are swept and cleaned every day and every night, there is a strong, but in no means aggressive, police presence with old fashioned 'bobbies on the beat', and as such there is a very low crime rate.

Shops are generally closed at weekends; it is seen as family time and a well-deserved rest. Cafes, restaurants and pubs are open, and the remaining places will stick to a rigid 10am-4pm schedule. It is a very calm and tranquil place.

There is also a strong military presence, with a large RAF base and naval contingent, due to Gibraltar's position in relation to the Mediterranean Sea. 'The Rock' has always been a strong port in the days of The British Empire, with regards to shipping goods to her territories and colonies.

But enough of the history lesson, you want to know if you could earn a crust here, right? Well, you could.

The place appeals to two types of people, tourists and ex-pats, and they go hand in hand. Most products here are VAT free, so tourists generally come with a few bob ready to spend at their leisure, and with lots of British brands here, it is very lucrative.

Marks & Spencer, Next, Mothercare, BHS et al are all aligned on Main Street, so they obviously need staff to work in various roles along the very large strip.

Gaming is the largest sector here because of the 10% corporation tax that is oh so appealing to the shrewd gaming operators that have relocated. Betfair, William Hill, Stan James, 888.com, bwin, and lots more similar, smaller firms are here, and all need roles filling in various capacities.
The businesses are very competitive, so it really isn't a cliché when saying if you work hard, the opportunities are there, and someone will notice you. If you are driven, hardworking and like the industry, it could be worth looking into further. Just a thought!

And to take a fairly capitalist twist, it seems so simple. Businesses are taxed less and can pay higher wages, meaning people then have a higher disposable income to spend more money, which can improve the economy, help businesses employ more people, and accrue more taxes. Simple in theory. Effective in practice.