> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Shopkeepers to Arm Themselves Against Vandalism - URL: https://barna.news/shopkeepers-to-arm-themselves-against/ - Published: 2026-10-30T09:00:12.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-30T09:01:28.000Z - Description: Businesses in Barcelona's city centre plan to guard their premises with improvised weapons and reinforced shutters following Saturday's violent disturbances. - Author: Barna.News News Desk - Tags: crime ## Merchants Prepare for Another Night of Unrest Following violent disturbances in central Barcelona on Saturday 24th October 2026, shopkeepers across the Gothic Quarter, Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya are preparing to defend their premises with makeshift guards and upgraded security measures. One of the most striking images from the unrest showed two workers armed with baseball bats protecting a sports clothing store in the Gothic Quarter. The owner of the business said they plan to open again on Saturday 31st October, a key trading day, but will move merchandise to the warehouse, board up the shop, and set up overnight guards if necessary. "We will be prepared! Because my husband, I, and a lot of employees live off this store," the owner said. ### Widespread Security Upgrades Underway Workers from a metal shutter installation company, busy reinforcing an establishment on Carrer del Pi, said they are currently installing about half a dozen new, more secure anti-vandal gates in the city centre. They explained that standard shutter locks can be easily broken with a lever, but new models with deep floor guides are far more resistant. "These days we are installing quite a few here in the centre, because of the riots and all that," one worker said. --- ### Restaurants and Cafes Remain on High Alert Andreu Valldeperas, from the Zurich cafeteria on Plaça Catalunya, said they intend to open on Saturday 31st October, one of the busiest days of the year, but will close immediately at the first sign of trouble. The burnt umbrellas from Saturday’s attack still stand outside, awaiting insurance assessment. "We want to remove them as soon as possible, because they give a very bad image, of the business and of the city," Valldeperas said. The Gremi de Restauració de Barcelona confirmed that most city-centre members plan to open, serve on terraces, but will shut down quickly if any threat emerges. The group has criticised the Mossos d'Esquadra and local authorities for what it described as a "chain of errors" in handling the disturbances. > The episode was caused by an incorrect risk assessment and an insufficient police response. Roger Pallarols, the group’s director, said the events of Saturday were "lamentable", not only due to the violence but because authorities had been warned. He stressed that Barcelona must not become "another Paris". ### City Authorities and Police Respond Sílvia Catà, chief commissioner of the Mossos d'Esquadra, defended the police response, stating that there was significant presence, but acknowledged the challenge of confronting small, mobile groups rather than a single large demonstration. Fourteen officers were injured, four seriously, during the incidents. Gabriel Jené, president of Barcelona Oberta, the association representing the city’s most visited commercial areas, said Saturday 31st October is crucial for trade, with salaries paid and tourists still present. He expects most shops will open unless authorities issue a contrary directive. Luis Sans, president of the Associació Passeig de Gràcia, said most shopkeepers on the avenue plan to open but will close at the first sign of trouble. Many also intend to board up their premises, though he acknowledged the negative visual impact. "We hope that this time the police will not allow any incidents to occur," Sans said. ### Trading Hours and City Regulations Under Article 4 of Act 18/2017 on commerce, services and fairs, trading hours in Barcelona are regulated jointly by the Spanish state and the Government of Catalonia. The city’s major tourist shopping zone (ZGAT), expanded in 2022 with the support of Barcelona City Council and key business associations, permits Sunday and public holiday trading from 12 pm to 8 pm between 15 May and 15 September. Full details of the trading calendar and permitted zones are available on the [Ajuntament de Barcelona’s commerce website](https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/comerc/en/commerce-barcelona/trading-hours?ref=barna.news). Despite the recent violence, no official restrictions have been announced for Saturday 31st October. Shopkeepers, however, are taking matters into their own hands to protect livelihoods and property. --- *Sources:* [*La Vanguardia*](https://www.lavanguardia.com/local/barcelona/20261029/11670598/haremos-guardia-armados-nuestra-tienda-toda-noche-dicen-negocios-barcelona.html?ref=barna.news)*,* [*Ajuntament de Barcelona*](https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/comerc/en/commerce-barcelona/trading-hours?ref=barna.news)*,* [*rac1.cat*](https://www.rac1.cat/societat/20261025/380948/gremi-restauracio-carrega-mossos-aldarulls-parla-cadena-errors-hi-hagut-resposta-policial-insuficient.html?ref=barna.news)*.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Updated: Second Telegram Group Calling for 31 October Unrest Shut Down](https://barna.news/second-telegram-group-calling-for-31/) - [Mossos Reinforce Officer Safety Amid Jihadist Alert](https://barna.news/mossos-reinforce-officer-safety-amid/) - [Over 500 sexist assaults on prison staff since 2022](https://barna.news/over-500-sexist-assaults-on-prison/) - [Mossos Launch Plan Proa Against Youth Gangs](https://barna.news/mossos-launch-plan-proa-against-youth/)