The German multinational is already a familiar brand with families in the UK, but this year it has branched out, opening stores across the Canary Islands. According to Lidl’s own calculations, shopping at the chain can save the average family as much as €2,500 per year especially when customers choose Lidl’s own brand goods over their competitors.

The Lanzarote branch covers 1,000 square metres of shopping space, has more than a hundred parking spaces and has cost the company more than two million euros to complete. An additional bonus has been the creation of 57 new jobs.

Lidl is known for bringing low price goods to the consumer, with their own brand of products as well as established names. The range of foodstuffs available for sale covers fruit and vegetables, fish and frozen meats, cheeses, fresh bread, frozen meals, basic food stuffs, wines and other alcoholic beverages.The store also aims to introduce a range of typical Canarian products as well. 

Opening hours are from 09.00 in the morning until 21.00 at night.

In a statement Jet2 claim that “The new seats mean less fuel is needed, helping the airline keep its fares as low as possible”. With each of their Boeing 757´s expected to experience a reduction in weight of around 500 kilos per plane.  With Managing Director Ian Doubtfire claiming that this will help benefit the environment.  Whilst ignoring the fact that their services will still generate substantial carbon emissions.

A large greenhouse containing more than eight kilos of marijuana has been discovered in Arrecife. Police were called to a possible break-in at a house in the area of the Charco de San Gines. Finding the front door had been forced open, officers checked the building without encountering anybody in residence. Instead, they discovered a home-made greenhouse full of cannabis plants. More than one hundred flowerpots of different sizes were confiscated, yielding more than eight kilos of the illegal plant.  Also found on the premises was a make-shift laboratory containing chemicals, dehumidifiers, a mechanized watering system, air filters and hydroponic lighting. The windows were fitted with opaque glass to prevent anyone being able to see inside the building. It appeared that the property had been exclusively conditioned for the production of marijuana plants.

As a result of this discovery, two people have been arrested in connection with the find.

The MemoriadeLanzarote website contains over 300 images outlining the development of the islands travel and tourism industries dating back to the early 1970´s.  Many of which provide a fascinating insight into how areas such as Puerto del Carmen used to look.  Along with loads of other great images including an excellent collection of postcards. 

Many of the pictures feature some of the islands oldest hotels and apartment complexes.  And whilst these haven’t changed much since the 1970´s their surroundings certainly have.

This move follows on the introduction of a direct service on the same route last year by carrier TTOO Crystal, who this year intend to increase the frequency of flights to twice a week in July and August. It represents a step in the right direction for the Tourist Board of Lanzarote, as Luis Arraez, the Councillor for Tourism, explained that the ‘Marketing Plan for 2010 has been looking to consolidate air travel between the island and France’.

Over 100 tourists were then forced to make their own onward travel arrangements from Puerto Rosario airport on Fuerteventura to Lanzarote.  With Ryanair allegedly offering little in the way of assistance or apology.

According to Ryanair; ‘Ryanair flight FR 4755, Bristol to Lanzarote, diverted to Fuerteventura due to bad weather in Lanzarote.  Unfortunately ferries were also affected by these high winds so passengers were provided with EU261 information which outlines their entitlement to provide receipted hotel expenses to Ryanair, for refund.
‘Ryanair arranged that the ferry company would carry affected Ryanair passengers to Lanzarote free of charge when ferries recommenced the following morning. Ryanair apologises to passengers for any inconvenience caused by this weather related diversion but can never put passenger convenience before passenger safety.”

Predictabtly Ryanmair has been hung out to dry by the media in the UK.  Yet no mention is made of the fact that these extreme weather conditons caused the diversion of other flights.  Nor the fact that Ryanair happily carry upwards of 40,000 passengers a month to the island without incident.

High winds and heavy rainfall continue to batter the island – forcing Carnaval organisers in both Arrecife and Puerto del Carmen to alter their plans.  With the Burial of the Sardine in the island capital suspended and the start of Carnaval in Puerto del Carmen postponed until tomorrow.

The State Meteorological Office has issued an orange alert until Tuesday afternoon, as further high winds are anticipated, gusting up to 95 kilometres an hour in the peaks of Teide National Park.   With high winds and rain also expected in the eastern Canaries and on Lanzarote through until Thursday this week.

A total of 379,500 passengers passed through Arrecife airport in January  Whilst Gran Canaria recorded an increase in volume of 1.2% in comparison with the same period in 2009, followed by Tenerife South with 687,684 (an increase of 1%),  The number of flights totalled to all airports totalled 27,823, with Lanzarote accounting for 3,621of these.