New Trading Hours in Force

The Ajuntament de L'Hospitalet has implemented new trading hour restrictions on food and drink establishments to combat street drinking and incivility. Under the Decret de limitació horària, general retail shops selling food and beverages must now close between 9pm and 6am from October to May, and between 10pm and 7am from June to September. These measures apply Monday to Saturday, with mandatory closures on Sundays and public holidays except those designated by the Generalitat or the local council. The rule affects all general food and drink retailers not covered by specific exemptions.

Exemptions and Exceptions

Certain businesses are exempt from the restrictions. These include bakeries, pastry shops, churro vendors, bread sellers, prepared meal outlets, newsagents, florists, fuel stations, and hotel-based shops, which may open freely. Small grocery stores up to 150m² that focus exclusively on daily food purchases can open every day, though they must still close on 1 January and 25 December. They may also only trade until 8pm on 24 and 31 December. Smaller cultural and leisure shops under 300m² not part of a chain, as well as coexistence establishments under 500m² offering books, food, toys and gifts, must remain open at least 18 hours a day, seven days a week, but also close on 1 January and 25 December.

All affected establishments must display their opening hours clearly on an external sign visible even when closed, according to municipal regulations.

Targeted Night-Time Restrictions

Shops located in the northern and central zones of the city defined under Decree 2890/2010 must remain closed and conduct no sales activity between 10pm and 7am. This night-time closure rule applies regardless of size or product type within these areas. Locutoris (tobacconists) may open daily from 7am to 11pm. Pharmacies, public entertainment venues, and fireworks shops follow separate regulations, with the latter permitted 15 hours of operation per day but closed on Sundays and non-June public holidays. Business owners are advised to consult the full municipal ordinance page for compliance details, including signage rules and territorial boundaries.

Primary sources: Dinamització local, Ajuntament de L'Hospitalet. Reported by elcontrapunt.cat.