La Boqueria wants to become a real market again. Or so it says now. Shortly after stating that the market must adapt to a reality of pure and simple tourism, the Barcelona City Council and the stallholders have reached an agreement to carry out a comprehensive reform to return the space to its essence: a traditional market designed for citizens, and not just for tourists.
The plan, which has an initial budget of 12 million euros, provides for a thorough remodeling of the central area, especially the fish market, considered obsolete, but above all, a new regulation on the product offered:
The idea is for the new rule to ensure that at least 50% of the offer is traditional: fresh produce, deli, bakery , fish and catering. The idea is to reduce the number of stalls focused on tourist fast food, although they will not disappear completely.
First phase: before 2027
The project already has broad support: more than 90% of the stallholders of the Associació de Venedors have voted in favor, so, in principle, it will soon begin to move forward.
As explained by the Deputy Mayor for Economic Promotion and Markets, Raquel Gil, during this term a new access will be opened through Plaça de la Gardunya to better connect with the Raval, the stalls will be rearranged and the fish island will be rebuilt along with the adjacent areas. These works will be coordinated with the reform of the Rambla and are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
In a second phase, already in the next term, the asbestos cement roof will be replaced and a photovoltaic harnessing system will be installed, in addition to improvements in air conditioning and accessibility.
The goal, Gil stresses, is clear: for the people of Barcelona to once again feel that the Boqueria is their own. “It is clear that it is one of the jewels of the city that is part of the visitor route, but in no case did we want it to lose its raison d’être: to be a traditional market.”
It will not be the first attempt, or the first intention. There are other voices that say that no matter how much reform is done in the stops, the loss of neighbors, with barely 800 people living in Las Ramblas, is the main obstacle to recover the essence of the market. It remains to be seen, in the near future, if the Boqueria can one day return to what it was.