2:58pm Monday 8th March 2010
By Jon Livesey
A PUB landlord is swapping the grey skies of Burnley for sun-kissed Spain after seeing a light haulage business flourish.
Colin Paton, mine host at the Bay Horse Inn, Worsthorne, with his wife Nickie for over two years, is gearing up for the move after the couple bought a cottage in the village of Ventas del Carrizal, about 30 miles outside Granada.
The dream move became a reality after Colin’s business, which moves goods between England and Spain, grew into a success.
Colin, 43, said he was nervous but excited about a new life in the sun with his wife and three young daugh-ters.
He began storing items in his barn behind the pub after taking control of the premises in 2007.
With a move to join Nickie’s parents in Spain in the pipeline, he started moving items to his future home.
He said: “All I wanted to do was cover the cost of moving our stuff across.
“I spoke to a light haulage firm but they had no business for me, so I went into competition with them and started the company.”
The firm moves items including, furniture, pets, hairdressing equipment, and kitchen units.
Following the success, Colin is now hoping to expand the business with a second van. “It’s certainly helped fund the move,” he said.
Colin and Nickie have prepared for the move by joining regulars in Spanish classes at the Church Square pub twice a week.
The classes are run by Margaret Brown, mother of England women’s goalkeeper, Rachel Brown.
Colin, who has served in the Royal Navy, said: “It’s helped us immensely and it’s got to the stage now where we need to be there.
"It’s been great at the pub and the locals have been fantastic.”
Nickie, originally from Ormskirk, will jet out next week with daughters, Grace, three, Evie, 18 months, and Amelia, 18 weeks.
Colin, who will remain in control of the pub after the move, is staying to help the new manager settle in before joining his family.
The Scot said: “When we’re there we’ll probably do nothing but complain about the weather being too hot – but it’s a nice complaint!”
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