THE stakes are high in the Majorca resort town long-known for sun, sea and debauchery after Spain’s attempts to crackdown on troublemaker tourists.
But locals, business owners and workers say “Magaluf would die” without the yearly avalanche of Brits who might behave badly but “pay our bills”.
Majorca has spent the last few years desperately trying to scrub up its most infamous stretch of land – Punta Ballena, familiarly known as the “500 metres of shame”.
Authorities have instated bans on pub crawls, drink deals, booze cruises and outside music after 10pm, while local cops armed with tasers, batons and accusatory looks prowl the streets.
But Brits still descend on this party haven en masse.
And Magaluf’s party strip is flanked on either side by businesses designed to capitalise on that stampede.
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Majorcan local Benedict, 50, runs a tobacco shop and stands by the long-established reputation that raucous Brit holidaymakers have in the coastal town.
“They are not good in my shop, they don’t make it good for us here.
“They cause trouble. They are always drinking, always fighting each other,” he said.
However, British tourists’ commitment to drinking is exactly what fuels the downstairs business owned by Ijaz Mehda.
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For 10 years, the 39-year-old has run the late-night eatery “Fusion”, which is perfectly-positioned close to the central strip.
He fires out pizzas, kebabs, burgers, sandwiches and chips until 5am for anyone looking to soak up the booze in the early hours.
“The British bring good money, they come here to buy good food after the clubs and I will always be here to serve them.
“They drink the most and so they spend the most,” he said.
Next-door to Fusion is Magaluf Ink, a walk-in tattoo studio that serves tourists emboldened by drink and feeling an air of recklessness.
“A lot of the time, they are such silly tattoos like d**ks with wings or a recent partner’s name in a heart,” said artist Gonfalo, 25.
He has worked at the shop for five years, permanently etching all kinds of possibly regrettable designs onto the skin of post-club revellers.
“The giant BCM club is across the road and they come straight here to get tattoos they won’t remember.”
And business is booming. Gonfalo alone does between 20 to 30 a night.
They don’t think, they buy. They pay my bills.
Nearby is a local supermarket run by Lola, 47, who has spent 30 years serving the residents and tourists of Magaluf.
Along with cashier Andrea, 22, they spoke affectionately of the Brits who come into the store usually barefoot, burnt and in swimmers.
“Everyday is different – they are a mixed bag. But they always try to speak Spanish with us and it’s terrible but at least they try,” Andrea told The Sun.
“Our best customers are the Scots, English and Irish.”
Two British waitresses, who preferred to remain anonymous, work at the sprawling sports bar Jokers and told The Sun: “We see it all”.
“The youngsters get a bad reputation, but it’s the older English that think they rule Magaluf.
“Oh and the Stag do’s,” they said, shaking their heads despairingly. “But this bar is built for it – watching football and partying in big groups.
“The poor little ones are fine and polite, but the older lads cause all the trouble and get kicked out. We won’t stand for it here.”
And yet the reputation of badly behaved Brits hasn’t reached every local business.
Mimo, 60, owns a tourist shop that sells clothes, knick-knacks, and Magaluf memorabilia and loves his British customers.
“They are the best. They spend all their money.
“They come mostly in July and when they are here, this is always full,” Mimo explained, slapping his cash register.
“They don’t think, they buy. They pay my bills.”
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He added: “They’re here for fun and drink a lot, yes, but they drink for themselves, they don’t cause any trouble.
“Magaluf without the British would die.”
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