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If you ignore his luxurious villa worth millions of euros, UK’s wealthiest plumber Charlie Mullins is just one of thousands of expats living on the Spanish coast. costas.
He told the Olive Press that his reasons for moving to Spain were similar to many others in his country. This was over beer and champagne at his four-storey Costa del Sol mansion.
Exuding an incredibly relaxed attitude to life, the man who made a fortune founding the UK’s most successful plumbing business explains that ‘people are simply happier’ here.
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Back home where he sold his successful Pimlico Plumbers firm for a cool €170 million in 2021, a ‘doom and gloom’ attitude seeps into everyday life.
It’s worsening, as many expats will tell.
The decision of his to permanently relocate to Mijas, Spain in July after Labour won the recent elections was not made out of thin air.
Charlie had been contemplating the move for some time, after spending 20 years on the Costa del Sol.
He has now taken the plunge and told the Olive Press he is really enjoying the much more ‘relaxed’ and ‘enjoyable lifestyle.
“There is a never-ending social life here,” he insists, adding ‘it is 10 times better’ than back home.
He attributes it to the weather and the slower pace between La Cala de Mijas, where he lives, and Marbella.
He explains, “People here are much more friendly and welcoming.” “I have more friends here than I do in the UK.”
He adds that Brits are more concerned about day-to-day matters, which creates a depressing mood.
He spends more time in Spain with his seven great grandchildren, and eleven grandchildren.
“They could come here for two whole weeks, whereas I would only be able to see my family half a night or a full day if I went back to the UK,” he says.
He is planning to remain in Spain forever, where he loves the food scene.
El Oceano Beach Hotel is his favourite hospitality spot in La Cala. This is also a favorite of many of his close friends.
He also speaks highly of Olivia’s La Cala and La Sala in Banus, which he describes as ‘always lively’ and he was sad that one of his favourites, Villa Tiberio, has shut.
Mullins is particularly drawn to such venues because ‘people dress up’, and he enjoys the ‘unpredictability’ of whom he might meet.
He explains that he can go out to a quiet breakfast, but then return home at night after an unexpected day of socialising.
He is still busy, even though he has left the London rat-race.
He is building several villas near Antonio Banderas’ former home in Los Monteros, and is the non-executive chair of WeFix in the UK.
He also stays in great shape, working with a trainer up to five days a week.
The better weather has encouraged him to be more active.
Does he miss anything about life in London, where his old plumbing firm employed over 400 people and turned over around €400 million?
No. He insists the city ‘hasn’t got that buzz anymore’ and lost its charm when David Cameron stepped down as Prime Minister in 2016.
The good news is that he has found it again in Spain
