Headquarters in Barcelona launches an SOS for its business model

At this time, the store consisted of three adjacent buildings under the same name. this catalog of architectural, historical-artistic and landscape heritage of symbolic establishments Barcelona (2016) promoted by the city council, it places it in the E2 category for its relevance (facade elements and some modernist attendees) and also highlights the importance of the event: from gramophone sales a century ago to classical music, the success of rock (and the Beatles) in the 60s to electric guitars and a ‘boom’ in which the demand for amplifiers is rapidly increasing. And from there to the present, between albums and instruments.

” wide street it has gone through many changes, there is little awareness of the neighborhood, many temporary foreign residents and many symbolic closures,” adds the same source. It doesn’t help that one of its richest existing spaces is the Hash Museum (where marijuana is located and sold marijuana.) But the situation is repeated over and over again. As this newspaper reported a few weeks ago, the Comtal Street (which leads to the Portal de l’Angel) is a resounding case. The move of Casa del Bacallà (relocated to Calle de las Moles, among others) and the closure of the Agricolia herbalist, these days he left for a manicure business and another grocery store on a road disturbed by shops like now. memory or in the hands of low-profile, foreign entrepreneurs.

law and trap

The regulation explicitly forbids the establishment of any further business. regardsbut once the law is deceived: there are many businessmen who gather or trade gifts or supposed handicrafts. Textile It includes padded t-shirts (limiting souvenir-type items to 20%) and eventually sells those that print a pontoon or other icon of Barcelona. “The Barça jersey is a souvenir, but it does not count as a jersey from Espanyol,” one seller ironically said.

It is impossible not to take measures to stop the loss of well-established stores and to replace them with seasonal, repetitive and poor quality business models that do not serve the neighborhood and the city. Teresa Llordés, president of the Barna Centre, the network integrating Gòtic trade. “The center is becoming a neighborhood and not a punishing place (like a cloned target) to go to other neighborhoods with the commercial fabric,” he adds. Another recent case, La casa de les Sabatilles, was closed a few days ago after a long legal battle with the property in the historic enclave of Baixa de la Llibreteria and will soon become the star of its little miracle. agreement to start a new phase Calle de Freneria, 3. “Finding a new place has been an extraordinary hassle,” admits owner Joan Carles Iglesias hopefully. Architect Alberto Mejias The pioneer of the defense and preservation of the symbolic is behind the advice and pressure to many survivors.

RamblaFaced with the long-awaited urban reform this year finally, it shows and amplifies the risk of each change and the shortcomings of regulation. After replacing the Musical Emporium store with a currency exchange window while preserving aesthetics and labels, anything seems possible only with this commercial perversion. It actually stimulated the need It also protects the activities (as intangible heritage beyond the physical), in an initiative by the PSC supported by the city council and the Government, but which has not yet materialized on the street.

With dozens of stores closed even after the worst of the pandemic, there was uncertainty about the Rambla’s future and its long-awaited commercial development. And the changes in the city’s busiest tourist center are bearing fruit. one lime and one sand. Among the organizations that aim to raise the bar for a relay race, there are two in the hospitality field. First, it was a gracefully and carefully restored version of old Vienna. Bar and ArtAlthough modified after its first commercial life (formerly Casa Mumbrú, a delicatessen in the 19th century), it retains elements of the façade, furniture, silkscreen windows with floral motifs, ceilings and even the counter. Serving “quality tapas, wines and good cocktails” is a challenge in this area. In fact, the beauty seems to impose on the many visitors who choose the terraces and their pints of beer at stratospheric prices.

Also, what was the historic brewery about to take off? BavariaNext to Canaletes, under full renovation by boutique hotel Yurbban Ramblahas been occupying a currently listed building for several months 1889, after a temporary opening aggravated by the coronavirus crisis. Hotel resources highlight its “local spirit” and its struggle to strengthen local culture, with the work of Barcelona artists and studios permeating both the common areas and the rooms. Located in the heart of the city with its incredible acoustic insulation, the property is an oasis of silence, complete with panoramic views of the Rambla from its terrace. The project of the new gastronomic area, brewery and fine restaurant is seen by the association Friends of the Rambla as someone else green sprout, Given the corruption that Bavaria has suffered over the years.

uncertain future

However, other spare parts in the vial are focused on intensive use with softer restoration and even extreme terraces Those who did not comply with the regulations did not have a landing applauded by employers. It also raises alarm among the neighbors of the environment. growing commercial offer linked to sex. Behind the Barcelona Erotic Museum store there are already four establishments, and just a few days ago No Taboo (an old clothing store) a blackboard at the entrance announcing “very interesting trips in the sex shop” for those over 18 years old. The city council was unclear about the administrative and licensing status of the buildings.

There is very little information and follow-up in the district. old town It’s about what happens after every important closing, whether it’s a symbolic or an important location. European regulation of free trade is sometimes tamed with regional use plans, with the hospitality industry and some activities (phone shops, souvenirs, tasting shops…) restrictive but without a municipal policy that truly supports and encourages quality businesses, local or local businesses. It has a different identity compared to the center of other big cities. “There is no support for them to survive when threatened,” he complains. Gabriel Jené, president of the Barcelona Oberta employers’ association connects the most central axes.

There were also concerns about the future of the space occupied by Xancó, a two-year-old shirt shop, after being closed for two years, given that its new owner runs both craft businesses and an erotic shop on Escudellers street. Finally, after their work (as this newspaper reports) they will go to the ceramic sale (Art Escudellers), which is focused primarily on the visitor.

Act first in public

this Fermin Villar, head of the Rambla merchants, draws attention to the fact that the approach of a part of the private enterprise is the result of the lack of municipal intervention in the streets. “You must save the public space before the private.” And it hints that as soon as night falls, boxes of beer and marijuana in the middle of the street are once again skyrocketing. “Management is missing,” he accuses. “Illegalities lower the market’s commercial average,” he continues, with a related trade offer.

The unstoppable rise of internet sales and changes in the strategies of major market brands with fewer outlets are also decisive. An example street portaferrissawith two weeks closures currently and an uncertain panorama as many firms and franchises have withdrawn.

Llordés, the problem is above all Gothic, “but it must be understood that we are dealing with a city problem”. And it highlights that “not just because of business disruption affects all of Barcelona”but also because it has implications for “speculations about the rental market, the costs of utilities, or social conflict arising from a lack of compliance”. This body calls for urgent action: “This is a problem that cannot be denied and needs to be counteracted.