If you’re used to doing the supermarket run late in the evening don’t get too comfortable, there is one small change worth knowing about before you head to Mercadona: some stores are now earlier than they did during the summer.

As of  Tuesday, September 1, Mercadona has ended its special summer opening hours That extra half-hour may not sound like much, but for anyone who relies on the later opening time after work or during the evening, it could mean arriving at the supermarket to find the doors already closed.

Mercadona brings summer opening hours to an end

During July and August, Mercadona extended opening hours at numerous supermarkets, particularly in coastal areas and other destinations experiencing a large influx of tourists. Around 320 stores across Spain had their closing time extended to 10:oopm during the summer period. Some supermarkets in particularly busy tourist locations also opened on certain Sunday mornings and public holidays as part of the seasonal arrangements. 

Those extended hours have now come to an end with the close of August, so customers who had become accustomed to shopping later in the evening will now need to arrive before 9.30pm. The change is therefore most noticeable at the supermarkets that actually took part in the summer extension. Not every Mercadona in Spain is changing its closing time this week, because many stores continued to close at 9.30pm throughout July and August. 

Sunday shopping is also changing

Mercadona generally closes its supermarkets on Sundays and public holidays, although certain locations can operate under different arrangements. During the summer, some stores in areas with particularly high tourist demand opened on Sunday mornings. Those seasonal openings have now generally ended alongside the extended weekday and Saturday hours. 

This means shoppers should not assume that a supermarket which was open on a Sunday during August will continue operating on Sundays throughout September. The same applies to public holidays. Individual stores can have different opening arrangements depending on local, regional or national holidays, so the general timetable does not necessarily apply on every date.

Check your local Mercadona before setting off

There is an important reason not to rely entirely on the general 9.30pm closing time: Mercadona’s opening hours can vary between individual stores. The chain provides a store locator where customers can check the opening and closing times for their specific supermarket.

This is particularly useful when planning a shopping trip around a Sunday, public holiday or other date when special opening arrangements may apply.  For most customers, the return to the regular timetable simply means that the longer summer shopping window has disappeared. But if your local branch was one of those staying open until 10pm, the change is immediate: from September 1, the doors close at 9.30pm instead.

Fancy singing, making friends and having a good laugh along the way? T.A.P.A.S. choir is welcoming new members as rehearsals get underway again following its summer break.

After several weeks away during the hottest part of the year, the group is getting back together at the Alhaurin Golf clubhouse for another season of music, performances and fun socialising.

What makes T.A.P.A.S. particularly appealing is that you do not need to consider yourself a great singer to join. This is very much a social group, where enjoying yourself and being part of the team matter far more than hitting every note perfectly.

The group has been going for 22 years and must now be the most multinational group on the Costa del Sol, or anywhere in Spain, for that matter. Whether you have sung in a choir before, only sing in the shower or simply fancy trying something completely different, new members are encouraged to get involved.

Music, laughter and friendship

Rehearsals provide a chance to learn and practise songs together, but T.A.P.A.S. is about much more than standing in a room and singing and being together. Members can look forward to a programme of choir events and performances during the coming months, together with plenty of opportunities to socialise away from rehearsals. For Costa del Sol residents, groups like this can be a brilliant way to meet new people and build friendships.

No pressure to be pitch perfect

There is no need to worry about auditions or having a polished singing voice before turning up. The emphasis is on taking part, enjoying the music and sharing the experience with other members.

Rehearsals are held in the rehearsal room at Alhaurin Golf clubhouse, with the group meeting at 5pm. Anyone interested in joining should contact T.A.P.A.S. through its Facebook group for more information about rehearsals and becoming a member.

With the new season now beginning, it could be the perfect time to put aside any worries about whether you can sing and simply give it a go. You might even discover that your next favourite hobby comes with a ready-made group of friends.

It was supposed to be a straightforward break-in, but two alleged burglars in Spain appear to have taken an unusual approach to avoiding detection.

The pair were caught hiding behind the bar of a hospitality business in Campo de Criptana, in Ciudad Real province, after allegedly breaking into the premises during the night.

And when Guardia Civil officers arrived, they discovered one of the suspects had apparently come prepared for fingerprints, covering his hands with socks.

Hiding behind the bar

Police were alerted after reports that two people had entered the establishment. When officers arrived, they found that the glass in the entrance door had been smashed.

Inside, the two suspects were allegedly crouched behind the bar, where they were found with bags containing products from the premises.

Officers also discovered several mobile phones, cash and a large screwdriver.

The bizarre detail quickly stood out: one of the suspects had pulled socks over his hands in an apparent attempt to prevent leaving fingerprints at the scene.

The plan falls apart

Despite the apparent attempt to conceal fingerprints, the pair were caught inside the premises before they could make their escape.

The Guardia Civil said the arrests were connected to two separate offences involving forced entry in Campo de Criptana.

Both suspects were subsequently handed over to the court in Alcázar de San Juan. The court ordered that both be remanded in custody.

A very unusual crime scene

Using clothing to try to avoid leaving fingerprints is hardly a foolproof plan, particularly when suspects are discovered hiding inside the premises they are accused of breaking into.

In this case, officers appear to have arrived while the alleged burglars were still inside, finding them behind the bar alongside items believed to have been taken from the business.

For the two alleged burglars, the attempt to keep their fingerprints off the scene ended with both being arrested and sent to prison pending the next stage of the legal proceedings.