Barcelona shop revival efforts have encountered significant setbacks, with city officials confirming that more than half of the premises purchased in 2021 remain closed.
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The Barcelona City Council acknowledged this week that 20 of the 35 commercial spaces acquired to revitalise local commerce and cultural activity are still inactive, despite the ambitious ‘Amunt Persianes’ programme designed to breathe new life into empty storefronts.
Barcelona Shop Revival Programme Progress Report
Commerce Councillor Raquel Gil provided the update during Wednesday’s municipal economy committee meeting. She revealed that only 15 of the establishments are currently operational, while four more will open “shortly” after undergoing necessary adaptation works. Furthermore, the remaining 16 premises form part of a pending call for proposals scheduled for resolution this month.
Gil explained that many of the ground-floor units were initially offered without the necessary renovations to make them functional, which significantly complicated their commercialisation. “Now all the establishments are activated so they can have activity,” she assured committee members. “Improvement works and access modifications have been carried out in many of them.”
The council has introduced a new rental modality aimed at business owners interested in occupying ground-floor spaces at below-market rates. According to official documents, applicants must present proposals that involve opening the premises, whether through new businesses, new business lines from existing companies, or transitioning online businesses to physical locations.
Meanwhile, opposition councillor Jordi Coronas from ERC described the council’s property acquisition plan as a “failure.” He recalled that the purchase formed part of agreements between the previous government under Mayor Ada Colau and ERC to approve the 2021 budgets. The initial objective was to acquire 50 establishments, but ultimately they secured 15 fewer than planned.
Coronas referenced former deputy mayor Jordi Martí’s announcement that the council had essentially become a public real estate agency. “But nothing like a real estate agency, because they are more efficient than us and the market proves it,” he commented. Gil responded diplomatically, stating: “When the administration innovates, sometimes it does so more successfully than others and we all learn.”
The delayed Barcelona shop revival programme reflects broader challenges facing the city’s commercial landscape. This situation comes as the city reviews protocols to improve commercial environments and support local businesses through various initiatives.
Despite the current setbacks, council officials remain optimistic that the pending call for proposals will successfully allocate the remaining spaces. The Barcelona shop revival strategy represents one of several municipal efforts to support local commerce while addressing the proliferation of empty commercial premises across neighbourhoods.
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