Vote Set for 16 October

Tarragona’s city council will vote on 16 October whether to approve the transfer of the former Banco de España building on Rambla Nova for conversion into a Parador Nacional, a state-run tourist hotel. The municipal government led by Mayor Rubén Viñuales (PSC) has confirmed it will bring the proposal to full council, after administrative procedures were not ready in time for this week’s session. The decision requires a demanial mutation, a change in public ownership status, to allow the site to be handed over to Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism. Under the plan, the ministry will invest €20 million to create a four-star hotel with 59 rooms and capacity for 118 guests across approximately 7,000 square metres, including 3,000 sq m of the original 1929 building and a new 4,000 sq m extension behind it, between Rambla Nova, Pau Casals and August streets.

Narrow Path to Approval

The PSC currently holds only ten votes in favour, including its own bloc and confirmed support from Vox. However, ERC, PP and ECP together hold twelve votes opposing the project. This leaves the outcome dependent on two Junts per Catalunya councillors and three unaffiliated members: Javier Gómez, Jaime Duque and Elvira Vidal. Junts has not yet declared its position, stating it needs full technical and legal documentation before deciding. Spokesperson Jordi Sendra said while Paradores do not align with their preferred tourism model, they oppose leaving the historic building vacant for decades. He stressed their support would not be exchanged for political concessions.

We remain open but need all technical and legal details before taking a stance. Our votes won’t come at a price.

Gómez and Duque, both former Vox members, have expressed interest in an alternative location, the Savinosa depot, which they argue could transform Tarragona’s seafront and integrate with rail realignment plans. Still, they acknowledge the Banco de España site is attractive if it avoids prolonged inactivity. Their main concern is the limited size and star rating of the proposed hotel.

Is it better to have a bird in hand or a hundred flying? We’re weighing that now.

Vidal, a former Junts councillor, has shown openness to the plan despite abstaining from a previous motion supporting a civic and cultural centre at the site.

Opposition Remains Firm

ERC, PP and ECP continue to reject the proposal. ERC’s deputy spokesperson Xavi Puig argues the central, symbolic location should host civic and cultural facilities, not a commercial hotel, especially when decided without broad consultation.

It’s unacceptable that such a key site is decided in secret with fragile majorities relying on Junts and Vox.

The PP calls the Parador a distraction from Tarragona’s real issues, while ECP reiterates its long-standing commitment to repurposing the building as a community asset, as promised in its 2019 and 2023 electoral programmes. Vox, however, backs the plan. In a statement, the party said:

If the Banco de España can become the Parador Tarragona has waited for years to have, it will have our vote.

The Generalitat approved the signing of an intentions protocol on 30 September, establishing a monitoring commission with representatives from the state, regional government, city council, Paradores and Turespaña. Meetings will take place every six months to coordinate progress.

Reported by diaridetarragona.com, DiariTots21, diarimes.com.