A new package of 43 measures is aimed at strengthening local commerce in the city and is based around boosting co-responsibility with the city’s retail network, increasing professionalism, digital immersion, backing for retail associations, positive ties with tourism and culture and more.
Local commerce is part of the backbone of everyday life in the neighbourhoods and these measures aim to boost competitiveness and sustainability, protecting the sector from the threats posed by abusive rental prices and mobbing suffered in some areas. The Councillor for Commerce and Markets, Montserrat Ballarín, asserted that, in some cases, these practices are making it impossible for certain establishments to carry on and because of this, an advisory service is to be set up to provide support for retailers on property issues.
Another measure is designed to help fill empty premises, particularly in neighbourhoods with less commerce. To this end, a map will be developed identifying unused premises and an inventory will be made. The information will be made available and a management plan put together. Other action will be taken to recover unused premises within the context of the economic development plans included in the Neighbourhood Plan.
Pilot schemes are also being rolled out in urban economic promotion areas (APEU) in the neighbourhoods of El Born and Sant Andreu, using a formula of co-responsibility between retail organisations and the administration. The creation of a commerce observatory is considered extremely important in collating data from the sector and generating knowledge to be applied in the drafting of short, mid and long-term strategies.
The measures are outlined in the strategy on strengthening and promoting local commerce in Barcelona, to be presented as a municipal government measure at the full council session on 30 June.
