Barcelona City Council has announced an urgent operation to eliminate the 'misery market' in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood. Mayor Jaume Collboni's government expects sellers of second-hand goods on Ronda Sant Pau to stop operating within two weeks.
This initiative is part of a wider shock plan launched a year ago to improve community life in Sant Antoni and address growing complaints from local residents' and traders' associations. Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Eixample, informed these groups on Friday that the Guàrdia Urbana will significantly increase its presence, especially on the Raval side of the pavement. This aims to prevent sellers from setting up stalls with old items, unwanted household goods, or clothes from charity bins.
City Council sources confirm that municipal conflict management services will also be present. Many in Sant Antoni hope social services will also increase their presence. The NGO Veí a Veí (Neighbour to Neighbour) proposes the City Council provide portable showers for homeless people who have moved to the area and those who come daily to beg. Traders support the Mayor's plan to end the market.
Addressing Wider Concerns in Sant Antoni
The 'misery market' is not the only issue causing concern in this part of Eixample. Some long-standing problems from the Raval neighbourhood appear to be spreading into Sant Antoni. Several symptoms point to a larger issue. At least one occupied drug den has been identified on Carrer Parlament. According to various Sant Antoni associations, another property on this street, known for its restaurants, is also causing worry. One establishment that helped popularise Sant Antoni over a decade ago recently closed, reportedly due to declining footfall.
After the Public Prosecutor's Office informed the Mossos d'Esquadra that it would prosecute those caught reselling medicines, some individuals previously operating on La Rambla del Raval have been seen on the Sant Antoni side of Ronda Sant Pau, as well as on Carrer Aldana and Carrer Marquès de Campo Sagrado. Some traders in these streets are asking for benches to be removed, while others are looking for available commercial premises elsewhere in the neighbourhood. One restaurant has even decided to stop opening at night.
Police Strategy and Future Steps
The Guàrdia Urbana has been increasing pressure on the 'misery market' for several days. Many sellers are tired of playing cat and mouse with officers. In recent months, chases have become common, with sellers fleeing when police arrive, sometimes abandoning their goods for street cleaners to collect. Despite this, most sellers do not want to leave Ronda Sant Pau. Some, however, are now dispersing to Plaça del Padró and Carrer Riera Alta and Sant Antoni Abat. These individuals have historically found refuge in the Raval. Sometimes, fish caught by people living in new shantytowns on Montjuïc are also sold on these streets.
The Guàrdia Urbana operation on Ronda Sant Pau will be reinforced immediately, deploying at least six officers, primarily between 5pm and 2am. This number could increase as needed, with potential collaboration from the Mossos d'Esquadra. The strategy is to prevent sellers from setting up their stalls. The City Council has assured traders and residents that it expects this increased police pressure to lead sellers to permanently abandon this pavement within two weeks. If not, the Council is prepared to maintain the operation for several months.
