Barcelona Approves La Boqueria Revamp to Boost Local Trade

Barcelona has given final approval to a comprehensive renovation of Mercat de la Boqueria, following a public consultation period that ended on 27 July with no objections filed. The Institut Municipal de Mercats de Barcelona (IMMB), the city’s municipal markets body, confirmed the green light for the project, which aims to restructure the market’s layout and reinforce its role as a traditional food hub.

Last September, over 90% of traders in the Administrativa de Venedors association voted in favour of the reform, according to the Barcelona City Council. The plan, backed by an investment of at least €12 million, will reconfigure the interior space to create a new central aisle and free up more circulation areas, while preserving the core fish section at the heart of the market.

Under the new agreement, 54% of the market’s 1,494 square metres of retail space will be reserved for traditional fresh products, including fish and seafood, meat, charcuterie, fruit and vegetables, poultry, cereals, and preserved goods. The remaining space will be allocated to prepared foods, such as juices, kebabs, and paellas, items that have become popular with tourists but are now subject to stricter limits.

We were aware of the traders’ desire to not only invest in the physical market but also to recover its citizen and Barcelona spirit.

Raquel Gil, deputy mayor for Economic Promotion, said during a joint press briefing that the city recognised the traders’ will to preserve the market’s local character. “We have put black on white what kind of market we want,” she said, calling the broad support a foundation for moving forward with confidence.

The first phase of works, expected to begin after summer, will focus on rebuilding the central fish island, improving accessibility, upgrading restrooms, and relocating administrative offices on the ground floor. These changes are expected to become visible by 2027.

Further major interventions, including replacing the asbestos roof, reinforcing the building’s structure, and renovating the façade facing Plaça de la Gardunya, are scheduled for late 2027 and will extend beyond the current term of Mayor Jaume Collboni.

The updated market regulations, developed jointly by the city and the traders’ association, establish a mandatory inventory of traditional products. Prepared foods must be made on-site using agreed fresh ingredients and presented either at ambient temperature or chilled, ready for immediate consumption.

Jordi Mas, president of the Boqueria traders’ association, described the agreement as a “good future project” that ensures stability, honours the market’s heritage, and upholds its reputation as the world’s best market, as previously recognised by international awards.

Residents and visitors should expect phased disruptions as construction rolls out, starting with operational upgrades later this year. The full transformation aims to balance Barcelona’s dual needs: preserving a historic food market for locals while managing its status as a top tourist destination.

Primary sources: Ramon, Barcelona City Council. Reported by europapress.es, Sofía Díaz, Jordi Palmer, Alfonso L. Congostrina, lavanguardia.com, Gerard Pruna, metropoliabierta.cat.