Culture, Education, Science and Community

City Council. The Commission for Economy and Tax gives initial approval to the new set of clauses on the function of newsstands.

The Commission for Economy and tax has given initial approval to a new set of clauses on the function of newsstands in public streets. The range of services and products they can offer is being extended, but the sale of press publications and other printed matter remains their main activity.

The city currently has 288 newsstands of this type in public streets and squares, 50 fewer than in 2018. Of these, 254 are currently licensed, 25 are vacant and 9 are part of the project headed by the cooperative created by the Municipal institute for People with Disabilities (IMPD).

The main changes in the clauses correspond to a demand from the sector to guarantee the feasibility of these kiosks. The main changes are:

• Amendment of product display percentages. The space for newspapers, magazines, books and other regular publications drops from 80% to 51%.
• Límits on tourist souvenirs. Souvenirs, mementos and similar items must form part of the 49% of display space not devoted to press and printed matter.
• Possibility of selling new products. This includes coffee for immediate consumption and pre-packaged foods that require no manipulation, as well as water and soft drinks, with the sale of any sort of alcoholic drinks forbidden.
• Limit on public space. No space, furniture or elements inside or outside the newsstand may be conditioned for the consumption of the products authorised in the new clauses.
• Inclusion of other activities already permitted, such as the installation of cash machines, last mile delivery lockers and information panels, where this is technically possible. Authorisation is also given for installations that foster participation in projects of social interest promoted by the City Council.
• More flexible hours. Core opening hours of a minimum of 9 am to 2 pm are established for every day of the week, although this can be adapted if requested by the owner, and according to the location of the newsstand and the City Council accepting the request.
• Greater agility and definition of regulations. The new clauses regulate aspects that were previously not defined, such as a maximum time frame of six months for transferring the business if the owner of the newsstand passes away, as well as defining the responsible body for penalising infringements or extinguishing licences.

In addition, the application of activities at each newsstand must respect local usage and sectoral plans in place in each case.

The clauses that are set to be amended are valid until 2030 and regulate all the newsstands in the city except those in La Rambla, which are regulated by licence. The amendments will now go onto the public scrutiny stage of 20 days for any challenges or recommendations to be made before their final approval.