"It’s just chaos over there," says Spanish restaurant owner

Wednesday 06 November 2024

The owner of a local Spanish eatery has praised the “fantastic response” to his announcement that it will donate 10% of its weekend takings to help Valencians affected by last week’s deadly floods.

Casa Paco in the Central Market will be donating 10% of its takings from lunch and dinner sittings this Friday and Saturday to Red Cross España (Cruz Roja).

Catastrophic flash floods have devastated the Valencia region, where the restaurant's owner Paco Lora hails from, claiming 218 lives so far.

Pictured: Paco Lora, the founder and owner of Casa Paco in the Central Market. (James Jeune)

Clean-up and search efforts continue, and the Spanish Red Cross is working to evacuate thousands of residents who are now living in shelters.

Mr Lora, speaking to Express yesterday, said his friends and family were still in the region.

"It's terrible," he said. "All of those who are in Valencia, they have been affected, not by loss of life, but my friends from Torrente have lost everything.

"They are out of their homes, out of their work, everything."

Mr Lora added: "My close family are all alright, they have only lost things that are material like cars and motorbikes, but I have friends in other areas who lost absolutely everything."

He said his mother Maria lives near the city and is safe, and he hopes to visit her before Christmas.

"My mum went to the supermarket and there was nothing there," said Mr Lora.

Pictured: Casa Paco will be donating 10% of its takings from lunch and dinner sittings this Friday and Saturday to Red Cross España.

He added: "On television, you only see what you see – it's not everything.

"When you see it on television, and you've been there, but it's so far away, it's horrible. Places that you know which are now completely gone.

"I think it's going to take a long time before it goes back to normal. Some people lost their jobs, their homes – and some people, of course, lost family."

Explaining his decision to donate, the Casa Paco owner said: "I'm lucky that my friends and family are all okay, but I just wanted to give something to help.

"At the moment, it feels like there's nothing you can do and it's just chaos over there."

At the weekend, angry protesters threw mud and other objects at the king and queen of Spain when the royal couple visited the town of Paiporta, one of the worst-affected in the region.

Pictured: The clean-up continues in Valencia.

Objects were also thrown at Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was quickly evacuated, and there has been much anger at the perceived lack of warning and insufficient support from authorities after the floods.

Mr Lora said: "I think it wasn't expected. They didn't expect it to be so big. They thought maybe a little bit of water, but it was like a tsunami, it took everything.

"Now it's the clear up that has to be done."

He said there had already been "a fantastic response" to the restaurant's post on their social media about this weekend's initiative.

"We have lots of reservations already. We are normally busy, but I think people like to help. I'm very pleased about it actually," the owner said.

"I had to do this. It is one of those things that had to be done, and people are very considerate. But I don't want my staff to lose out, so I will take it from my own, if we need to meet their cost."

In a statement posted on Casa Paco's social media earlier this week, the restaurant wrote: "As many of you will know, Paco and his family originate from Valencia and have been very saddened by the events of last week, which has affected so many.

"In an effort to support the vital work of the Spanish Red Cross, Casa Paco will be donating 10% of its taking from all lunch and dinner bookings this Friday and Saturday, 8 and 9 November, to the charity.

"Join us to be part of this worthy cause, while enjoying the delectable menu and welcoming atmosphere of Casa Paco."

Mr Lora established the popular market spot in 2014, inspired by his grandmother's traditional homemade Spanish cooking.

For reservations, contact Casa Paco on 01534 872225.

You can make a donation directly to the Spanish Red Cross emergency effort here.