Barcelona tightens restrictions on souvenir and cannabis shops

Barcelona’s city council is stepping up efforts to curb the proliferation of souvenir shops, mobile phone accessory stores, and cannabis-related businesses.

The new restrictions will apply to these types of businesses, as well as food shops and nail salons, in the Ciutat Vella district, where they are especially concentrated.

District councilor Albert Batlle announced on Friday their intention to impose stricter limits on opening such establishments.

The city council argues that these businesses "do not provide added value to the area."

The new restrictions will classify businesses based on their impact on public space, quality of life, and waste generation.

Shops such as souvenir stores will now be considered high-impact businesses in the neighborhood.

Under this new classification, opening new businesses of this type in areas like Ciutat Vella will be nearly impossible, as the district is already saturated with them.

However, the restrictions will not apply to existing establishments.

In the case of souvenir shops, the city council is also preparing a revision of the current regulations to prevent stores from opening under a different category and later operating as souvenir outlets.

The only new businesses that will face fewer restrictions are those linked to cultural activities, such as art galleries, bookstores, and museums, as they are considered to have the lowest impact on the surrounding community.