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Space manager Juan Arenas is, by simple fact of his position, one of the most powerful figures in Ibiza. He is also the individual perhaps most directly affected by Ibiza's now opening hours laws. Both facts serve to explain why he schedules interviews for 9.30AM and why, when the Voice rings his office, we have to wrangle with a pair of supercilious assistants before being granted access.

Juan, however, has the bright voice and easy manner of a professional schmoozer. Something he undoubtedly picked up while doing a degree in tourism & leisure in London, before moving to Ibiza in 2002.

In the five years since he arrived Juan's moved from banking, to being long-time Space boss Fritz Pangratz's second-in-command to - last year - taking charge of the club.

A fast ride and a quick initiation in the hard world of Ibiza politics, but despite government wrangling, legal uncertainties and having to cut Space's staff of 300 in half Juan seems to have come through with optimism intact - an achievement in itself. Here's what he has to say about new laws, breaking bad news to old friends and the future of clubbing in Ibiza… 

How did you feel when you were asked to take over last year?
"I wouldn't say it was scary, but it's a big responsibility. I do everything - handle all the relationships with promoters, the DJs, the Space webpage, Space on tour and I work with the press, publicity… luckily I have a good team." 

Fritz was an island institution, how did it feel stepping into his shoes?
"I don't feel like I'm a substitute for him. We have a good relationship but I'm bringing something new. I have new ideas."

What, specifically?
"It's going to be a different year. We have a hard job to do, to change people's minds. There will be people arriving 11AM on Sunday because they don't know about the change of law. But we'll adapt as best we can." 

How long have you known about the new law?
"We've been waiting all winter to see what would happen. It wasn't clear until a month ago."

That must have made planning a nightmare…
"We couldn't organize with any promoters until we knew exactly when we were going to open. The programme is going to have to change, obviously, because we can't open till 4.30."  

Did you know immediately which promoters you wanted to continue with?
"We had 14 promoters and now we have only 7 so it was very difficult. It's not just the professional relationship, it's also the personal relationship. It's hard to tell someone who's been at Space for 10 years you can't work with If the [government] wants to regulate the legal clubs that pay taxes, that have staff and an ambulance on call, that invests money in safety, I hope they will regulate the illegal parties too...anymore."

Who made the cut?
"Carl Cox on Tuesday, La Troya on Wednesday, we will run our own Space-promoted night on Thursday with Danny Tenaglia and Wally Lopez as the main residents, Matinee on a Saturday, and We Love… on Sunday. Monday and Friday I can't say - we're still working on confirming those."

A lot of people think Space can make its own rules… is that an accurate perception?
"Who says? [Laughs] I don't think we make our own rules..."  

Now people can't come to space at 8AM… where do you think they are going to go?
"You'll have 10,000 people wandering around looking for something to do. They'll go to some beach, or to some villa. If the [government] wants to regulate the legal clubs that pay taxes, that have staff and an ambulance on call… that invests money in safety, I hope they will regulate the illegal parties too." 

What will make this summer a success for Space?
"We want to change people's minds about going out, change the culture. We will encourage people to come in the afternoon. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday we will open at 6PM. Carl Cox opens at 8PM, La Troya at midnight and We Love… from 4.30PM. This way people will have time to go to the beach, see the island, have a lunch and a coffee… then come to Space. It will still be daytime, you'll still be partying in the sunshine."  

And where will you be…?
"On the Sunset Terrace! It is very typical of Space, it reminds me of when I used to come as a customer and dance on the old open-air Terrace."

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