Closing time extension rejected by Barcelona government

The spokesperson of Barcelona City Council, Jordi Hereu, rejected the idea that music-playing bars and nightclubs could be allowed to close at later times in order to avoid conflicts between customers returning home in the early hours of the morning. The socialist confirmed that they will “not permit” the extension of opening hours of bars and nightclubs.

Herei, reminded that “we have spent many years putting a great emphasis on complying with the opening hours, which are very reasonable” The socialist is of the opinion that, the sooner these businesses close, the sooner will the public space return back to normal.

The president of the municipal group ICV of the government, Imma Mayol, proposed some hours previous to Hereu’s statement that the extension of opening hours of music bars and nightclubs would avoid conflicts in the streets. The presentation of the campaign against noise, would be a possible answer to the current situation where the guests of these nightclubs and music bars all end up concentrating in certain areas of the city when these businesses close.

The ecosocialist proposes opening music bars until 4am (currently closing at 3am) and nightclubs until 6 in winter and 7 in summer (currently closing at 5am) “It would be worth it if we manage to solve a problem with this”. Portabella, the second in charge, supported the proposal of Mayol, as long as the modification of opening hours was accompanied with an extension of the opening hours of Metros and Train transport.

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