Llibreria Rodés, a secondhand bookstore located at number 8 Carrer dels Banys Nous in the Gothic Quarter, will close its doors towards the end of January or beginning of February 2027. Owner David Rodés cited unviable rent prices as the reason for the closure. The bookstore has been in operation since 1920, initially opening at the Mercat de Santa Madrona before moving to the Gothic Quarter in the mid-1990s.
According to Rodés, the rent for the premises has quadrupled in the last ten years, now aligning with an average market price of approximately 85 euros per square metre in the area. The bookstore occupies an old premises of less than 30 square metres. Rodés, a third-generation bookseller, stated that despite nearing retirement, he would continue the business if not for the prohibitive rent.
Impact of Tourism on Local Businesses
Rodés attributes the escalating rent to over-tourism in the heart of Barcelona, a problem the area has experienced for a prolonged period. He noted that the Gothic Quarter has seen a significant decline in traditional businesses, with many antique bookshops disappearing or relocating to other neighbourhoods. "The entire Gothic Quarter is commercially devastated," Rodés stated, adding that most current shops cater to food, cheap clothing, beauty services, or souvenirs.
"In the last ten years, the price has quadrupled for us," explains Rodés.
The bookstore primarily sells books in Catalan and Spanish, meaning it generates little income from tourists. Rodés also mentioned that many of his long-standing Barcelona clients have stopped visiting the Gothic Quarter due to the changing commercial landscape. While online sales supplement his income, they cannot replace the physical storefront.
Future Plans for Llibreria Rodés
While the Gothic Quarter chapter for Llibreria Rodés is concluding, David Rodés has not ruled out continuing the bookstore in a more affordable neighbourhood, such as Guinardó, where he resides. However, finding someone to take over the business at its current location is deemed practically impossible due to the high rent.
The closure marks the end of an era for the Gothic Quarter, which once housed approximately twenty antique bookshops. The disappearance of Llibreria Rodés is seen as a further step in the commercial transformation of the neighbourhood.
Sources: Línia Xarxa, barrigotic.cat.
