HE’S traveled the world as a professional footballer winning European trophies and Premier League titles.
Now Manchester United and Leeds legend Lee Sharpe is to open an exciting new business on the Costa Blanca.
The father-of-two, who is also a TV star and professional golfer, is launching his first Spanish sports bar in a matter of days.
Alongside his wife Lucy, the recently established expat, will open Sharpey’s Sports Bar in Javea next week.
After a year of settling into life on the Costa Blanca with his two young children, aged four and five, he finally spotted the perfect opportunity.
“It’s going to be a real community hub, high on service and atmosphere. And perfect for all the family,” he told the Olive Press.
With his wide network of contacts from sports and showbiz you can expect to find plenty of famous faces dropping in.
Lee, 50, made the decision to move to Spain during the COVID pandemic in the UK last year.
He revealed that he had moved to Javea in October with a new lockdown threatening in the UK last winter.
Renting a villa in the hills above the resort, he dedicated much of the winter working on his golf swing pursuing his new ambition to join the professional senior tour.
He also quickly realised that with the Brexit deadline looming they would need to get residency status set up.
“It took quite a while but we finally got it sorted and got the kids into school.
“The only thing I didn’t get done was swapping over my driving license… but I know it’s been extended and I hear the DVLA are hoping to sort this out. Can you imagine all those British pensioners here having to do the test in Spanish.”
Apart from that, settling in has mostly been plain sailing.
“I’m loving the Spanish lifestyle and the Javea area is a really cool place. It’s nicely understated and without too many knobs in Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
“It’s certainly a struggle to learn the language, but I’m trying. They speak so fast and often with Valenciano. But it’s great that our kids will be growing up bilingual. It’s a real skill.”
The one thing he had missing was ‘having a good local pub’ to go to like he had back in Wetherby, near Leeds.
“I used to love Sunday afternoons down my pub watching the 2pm, then 4pm game followed by a Chinese and an early night,” he explained.
“My new place will fill that hole I hope.”
As well as all live sports, there will be quiz nights, live entertainment, including comedy, and even curry nights.
The official opening is planned for next Wednesday, with various local dignitaries and his two business partners.
“It’s been a real team effort and luckily Lucy has found her calling with all the creative bits. Painting, designing menus and logos and even the website.”
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