You have probably already recognised Lina aka “Mummy Marbella” Hodgkins from ITVBe´s Life on Marbs and Elliot Wright’s spin-off show Playa in Marbella but Lina is much more than a reality TV star. She is the formidable Marketing Manager of the Linekers Group – a role she has held for 12 years now and takes in her stride. Marbella Rocks had the pleasure of CATCHING UP WITH HER to find out all about the summer season, her new night Y Knot and how she copes with the ups and downs of fame.
Q: You are running Portside, Linekers, Bijoux, Babilonia, Premier Lap-dance Club and Tibu. How do you find the time?
I don’t actually get too involved with the general running of the venues, each venue has its own manager and they take full control of all the day to day duties, my job is more filling them, which is a massive job on its own. I have over 40,000 people booked direct with me this year and I deal with all of them so my time is limited as you can imagine how much time this takes, being a workaholic helps!
Q: What is the trickiest venue to run?
They all come with their good and bad issues, but most of the time everything runs smoothly; I don’t think one is more difficult than the other.
Q: What does Summer 2017 have in store for us at these venues?
I am a firm believer in – “if it’s not broken don’t try to fix it.” Bijoux has an extended terrace from the end of last summer and has become a recognised bar on the second line and going from strength to strength and Babilonia just becomes more and more busy. Linekers is still the main party bar and I believe will continue to grow and grow as it does every year, due to the fact it does exactly what it says on the tin, there is nothing pretentious about Linekers, people just love the party vibe.
Q: We hear big things planned are for nightclub Tibu. Can you tell our readers about its recent refurbishment?
TIBU looks absolutely amazing and has a considerable amount of money spent on it this year, It has gone from a great nightclub to a super club and is really worth a visit – TIBU being the most established nightclub in Puerto Banus, it will always look and feel the best that Marbella has to offer. We have some amazing DJs and promoters booked for 2017.
Q: The theme for the new Thursday night at Tibu is Ladies Night ‘Y Knot’ which you are running. Where did the idea come from and how will the female element be incorporated on the night?
I wanted something a bit different to all the club night names, and a bit quirky, and came up with Y-Knot – why don’t you! Nobody is offering a ladies night in Marbella, so thought “Y-Knot”. Although it’s a ladies night men are very welcome – the night is going to be a lot about the music – garage is making a huge comeback especially the old skool stuff, also club classics so it will have everybody dancing to everything they remember.
Q: What brands are you working with to make this so special?
I started working with local fashion brands; I am a big supporter of Marbella independent brands, I am working with the designer Caroline Azzi, Nancy from Bling Boutique and Teresa Leaver from Minxy Closet, more will follow as I go through the summer.
Q: As it’s a ladies themed night, are the eligible bachelors of Marbella still welcome to join and what are you offering them?
Eligible bachelors are always welcome!!! The ladies will be there so I am one hundred percent sure the men will follow – Y-Knot???
Q: Do you have any special drinks packages planned for the night?
We also offer drinks packages, I have a special drink pink for the ladies, pink vodka, pink tequila and pink champagne.
Q: What are the plans for the opening night?
Launching Y-Knot with a fashion show early on the terrace, which gives local fashion houses a chance to showcase their Spring/Summer collections, from there, it’s party time in a big way, the plan is that everybody who comes to TIBU on Thursdays have the best night ever!
Q: What music can partygoers expect to dance to at Y Knot?
A lot of old Skool garage, club classics old Skool house, club remixes, I want to keep it so that it is all recognised dancing songs, that everybody loves. I also have Artful Dodger, So Solid and Luck & Neat booked throughout the Summer.
Q: What about new night Tropicana at Tibu on Mondays?
Tropicana is an industry night, a chance for all the workers in the Port and surrounding areas to come and let their hair down after the weekend, plus of course all the residents and tourists are also more than welcome. It is very usual that the tourists follow the workers.
Q: What other club nights are back?
We have kept most of them as they were all so successful, so Play Room, Cirque De Funk, Candy Pants, Sintillate and few surprises along the way.
Q: What’s your favorite venue/night out in Marbella?
It will always be Portside, I love sitting on the back terrace, chatting, people watching and there is so much people watching at Portside. I just love Portside´s vibe it’s not to hectic and not to slow, just about right for me.
Q: So Lina after two successful TV shows in 2 years, will you be back on our screens anytime soon?
There are no plans at this time as it is so expensive to make TV in Marbella – but who knows – watch this space!
But it was an incredible experience to take part in, as both shows were very different to film.
I would love to do another one, so come on production companies find some money and let’s get filming, I found it just a great thing to do and peoples reaction to the shows, some good some bad, just love the element of surprise as both were completely non- scripted, I never knew what was going to happen next, and it just all pans out.
Q: You attempted a few wacky ways to give up smoking on television, have any of them ever worked?
I have tried almost everything there is to offer, from burying cigarettes in plant pots to hypnosis and I hate to say it but nothing really works for me, although I do smoke a lot less that I did and a not so harsh brand, but who knows, there has to be something to make me stop. I am open to any ideas and experiments.
Q: You get ‘spotted’ a lot in the port. Do you enjoy the fame?
I am not sure “fame” is the right word, however my car is spotted as much as me, at first it was a bit daunting but I got used to it and now it doesn’t bother me at all if people want photos, the only thing is they take the picture then go, and then I may see it pop up somewhere on social media and it’s a really horrible picture, but I suppose that is the price of “fame”!!
Q: What’s been the best thing you’ve blagged being a TV star?
I am not really one to blag things and have never asked for stuff, however people send me stuff and just ask that I post a picture with it – I have had costume jewellery, bags, fabulous eyelashes but my favorite is waterman’s grow me shampoo I am still using it – it really is an amazing product – but I am still waiting for Dolce & Gabbana to send me some frocks!!
Q: What’s the most annoying part (or funniest situation) you have had with fans?
The worst part is when I have a monster hangover and look terrible and people want pictures, I had finished work one day and there was a group of around 20 girls around my car taking pictures and then when they saw me they wanted more but they were screaming, I put on sunglasses for pictures, but they made so much noise, Port authority came along they thought there was some kind of fracas.
Q: What has the reaction been to the Summer Season so far? Have you found your pre-bookings are up this year?
It amazes me every year how many people pre-book it continues to increase year after year and I have been doing this for 12 years, 2017 will be another bumper year, now people book earlier and earlier – I already have a lot of confirmed bookings for 2018 – which is mad.
Q: Why should our readers head to Linekers Group venues over all the others?
Within the Linekers group there is something for everybody, from outside terrace chilling, Bijoux or Portside and watching the world go by, to really trendy and cool Babilonia, to the madness of Linekers, lap-dancing for the guys and then the club scene of TIBU, so whatever anybody wants it’s all there for any age or occasion.
Catch Lina at Y-Knot at Tibu EVERY Thursday IN SUMMER
For guest list and tables visit www.tibubanus.com
