Barcelona City Council has approved a new subsidy line of up to €60,000 to revitalise struggling municipal markets and assist merchant associations facing unforeseen operational challenges. The funding, drawn from this year's budget, will support markets that have lost commercial capacity or are pursuing improvement projects.
Support for Vulnerable Markets
The Municipal Institute of Markets of Barcelona (IMMB), the city-run body overseeing municipal markets, will administer the grants. According to the IMMB, markets can qualify if they face a significant loss of revenue due to unforeseen circumstances, including vacancies in major operator positions, a drop of more than 40% in fee-paying stalls, or a current-year budget under €130,000.
Subsidies may also be awarded to merchant associations planning specific revitalisation projects, provided these are implemented after the association's budget is approved. The IMMB recognises that such challenges can hinder day-to-day management and justify exceptional financial support.
Felip II Market Upgrade Moves Forward
This October, the council awarded the contract for the design and site supervision of improvements at the Felip II market in Sant Andreu. The contract, worth over €159,000, has been awarded to Taller Sau SLP and will cover the preliminary, basic, and construction project phases, as well as construction oversight.
The planned renovation aims to improve access, enhance the building's transparency, upgrade the surrounding public space, and reorganise common and logistics areas. The project forms part of the IMMB's Strategic Market Plan and is linked to Barcelona's role as European Capital of Commerce for 2026.
According to the city council, the goal is to finalise all project designs before summer 2027, with construction expected to begin by the end of that year. The total cost of the Felip II market refurbishment is estimated at €3 million.
Sources: Metrópoli Abierta (CA), Ajuntament de Barcelona.
