The campaign, entitled “Som barri, som comerç” [We are neighbourhood, we are commerce], is an initiative of Som Sant Antoni. The Eixample district has commissioned the artist Daniel Thomàs to create portraits of the people who work behind the counters every day. The project is interactive, with each shutter also bearing a QR code that provides access to an exclusive video about the shopkeeper portrayed. In addition to painting the shutters, there are also talks of developing a walking tour to view the artwork and learn more about the neighbourhood.

Grants to clean or paint shutters

A new Pla Endreça grant scheme for shops and restaurants has been launched to improve the external appearance of the city’s commercial establishments, thereby enhancing the urban landscape of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods.

This annual grant, available to local business associations, covers the cost of cleaning or painting shutters, including the application of anti-graffiti primer, and provides a maintenance service to keep the shutters clean for one year from the date of painting.