Barcelona businesses plan to raise the shutters this Saturday despite the possible scenario of disturbances called by "Blocus" in the city, although a significant number of establishments are reinforcing their protection after the looting recorded last weekend.
As Europa Press verified this Friday, numerous businesses located in the surroundings of Plaça Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal have opted to cover their shop windows with wooden panels and place metal barriers as a preventive measure.
In several of the premises that suffered damage and looting a week ago, teams of workers are still working on replacing the broken glass and repairing the damage caused.
Confidence in the police deployment
The president of Barcelona Oberta, Gabriel Jené, explained in statements to Europa Press this Friday that the associated businesses maintain confidence in the deployment of the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Guàrdia Urbana and that they will open with "total normality" with the aim of continuing to serve their customers.
Jené detailed that they remain in contact and coordination with the City Council and the security forces, although he acknowledged that some stores have opted to protect their shop windows in view of the possibility of new incidents.
Coordination with Barcelona Comerç
The director of Barcelona Comerç, Alfons Barti, also indicated in statements to Europa Press that the council has enabled a direct communication channel with the commercial entities to exchange information and be able to react quickly if necessary.
Barti indicated that the closure of establishments has not been ordered this Saturday, although he insisted on the importance of anticipating: "Barcelona cannot afford to repeat these acts of vandalism. It does not deserve these disturbances to happen".
Internally, the entity has conveyed instructions to the 24 commercial axes it groups together so that they remain attentive to the alert channels, have the emergency telephone numbers available and, in the event of incidents, give priority to the safety of workers and customers, lowering shutters and closing doors if the situation requires it.