Bars located on Barcelona's Born promenade and its surrounding areas are urging Mayor Jaume Collboni's administration to stop threatening new hourly restrictions. They seek a collaborative working group to agree on measures to reduce noise levels in this distinctive area, particularly as summer approaches.

Council's Previous Noise Plan

This dispute marks a new chapter in ongoing conflicts between restaurateurs and the City Council over business limitations in several city locations. The Born area conflict has persisted for over a year. Last spring, the Old City (Ciutat Vella) district launched an anti-noise pollution plan for these areas. This plan proposed reducing operating hours by up to two hours for approximately twenty establishments and their terraces. The City Council argued that sound meters recorded levels exceeding 65 decibels in the early hours. These readings violate environmental ordinances and disrupt residents' rest, compelling the Council to act. Consequently, the Council warned businesses that if noise levels did not decrease by 5 decibels within nine months, it would advance their closing times by one hour. If the situation failed to improve after another nine months, it would impose a further one-hour reduction.

Businesses countered that the City Council's own statistics indicated street drinking gatherings (botellones) were the primary source of neighbourhood disturbances. These gatherings involve people sitting on benches and consuming beers purchased from street vendors. The municipal plan itself recorded a significant increase in police reports for street drinking, street vending, and associated noise, rising from 233 in 2023 to 680 in 2024. Reports stemming from various shouting incidents, musical devices, and public fights also increased, from 41 to 47. As a result, the Barcelona Restaurant Association (Gremi de Restauració de Barcelona) lodged an administrative appeal.

The Association stated, "And when the City Council was preparing to dismiss our allegations and definitively approve the measure, in July 2025, the Catalan High Court of Justice (TSJC) annulled the modification of the 2022 environmental ordinance. This also annulled the designation of the Born promenade and its surroundings as a special acoustic regime zone (ZARE)." Restaurateurs in the area then expected Mayor Collboni's administration to propose alternative approaches to restore coexistence, according to Barcelona City Council. However, earlier this year, the City Council initiated a new file to restart the process and reinstate its controversial measure.

Current Standoff and Future Outlook

"We have been waiting two months for the City Council to respond to our allegations to the new file," the Association added. "We still do not know if it intends to abandon this matter or definitively approve its new file. We are willing to work with the City Council and try to improve safety around the premises to reduce noise levels. However, we have no idea of its plans." Some restaurateurs find this stance suspicious. They question whether the City Council intends to implement these restrictions just months before the next municipal elections. La Vanguardia newspaper asked the City Council about its plans, but officials responded that it was too early to provide details.

This ongoing dispute highlights the tension between urban development, business interests, and residents' right to rest in Barcelona's vibrant Old City district. The outcome will significantly impact local businesses and the quality of life for residents in the Born area, a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.