Tourism threatens to close another iconic business

It was always Hernando Colon A commercial street par excellencealthough the businesses established there have changed a lot over the years: from silversmithing to Souvenirs. Typical postcard displays from the city occupy sidewalk spaces, in many shops they place T-shirts with original designs and phrases on the windows, and there is no shortage of little flamenco costumes hanging from the doorsteps of establishments. Tourism now threatens to shut down another emblematic work in the historic centre. The owner of Picalagartos has resolved the contract that was signed 30 years ago. Their intention is not to leave because they have an indefinite lease.

The owners of the property at No. 7 Hernando Colon plan to accept a firm offer from a company The building will be converted into tourist apartments. They must first dissolve all leases that are still in effect. More sophisticated are the commercial buildings that have occupied this bohemian corner of the center since 1993 and where several generations of young Seville nightlifers have passed by for a few drinks and some tapas.

“The neighbors will leave, however They can’t kick us out. The contract is of indefinite duration. “We are not closing the business,” says Gonzalo del Rey Fernandez, owner of Pecalagartos. The document has a clause attached to it which can read as follows: “This contract will be for a period of one year, extendable at the tenant’s discretion.” For this reason, the owners of the central building believe that two recent rulings have determined that this type of indefinite-term contract conflicts with the privacy of rentals. Both judicial decisions refer to a legal entity, “but in our case it concerns two natural persons. My brother and I. It is therefore indeterminate.” Everything indicates that the conflict between tenant and tenant will end in court.

The company interested in purchasing the building will convert it into tourist apartments

there Long list of famous business closures Which took place in central Seville since the beginning of the last decade. Non-stop depletion and exploitation by franchisees and big brands to occupy highly desirable buildings in this area of ​​the city, which over time has lost its identity, whether in shops or bars, to the point of making the former Casco is what many experts describe as a “park.” “Entertaining.”

It’s true that The city council has tried to stop this trendThat is why the General Meeting approved a decree in the spring of 2022 to protect symbolic institutions. Businesses that are at least 40 years old, in which a “unique” activity is carried out, or which are located in buildings containing elements of protected historical or heritage value, may qualify. In exchange for this recognition, the local government will contribute to advertising campaigns and benefit from a range of financial aid.

This protection comes after many pubs and shops, with a long history, were forced to close. The most common reasons What prompts the owners to take such a decision is usually to change the old rent with a new rent, which, in addition to the increase in rents, makes it impossible for the company to be able to meet its obligations; The retirement of its owners and the lack of replacement for generations with their grandchildren when assuming this responsibility; As well as changing the location of its traditional site.