Business premises in Barcelona

DOCS Business premises in Barcelona (Commercial Areas and Rental /Purchase Prices) 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 Do you want to set your business up in Barcelona? Trade in the City Which are the commercial areas and what do they offer? Where to look for premises Description and analysis of the various commercial areas in the city Prices of business premises. Estimated rental prices (2008 data) Prices of business premises. Estimated purchase prices (2008 data) Barcelona Activa SAU SPM, 1998-2009

01. Do you want to set your business up in Barcelona? This report aims to help entrepreneurs who are looking for a business premises in Barcelona to pursue their activity, as well as to offer them a guided tour of the most commercially dynamic and specialized areas of the city. These areas often become a commercial axis (commercial area), a concept which will be explained later in the report. Before that, however, when we first start to look for premises, and before signing a purchase, rent or transfer contract, there are a series of precautions that we need to take into account, such as: - Finding out, at the Land Registry Office, about the property and charges of a specific property. - Finding out, at the Urban Planning Department of Barcelona City Council, in the cityplanning arrangements of ground affectation, if the property and any other constructions around it are affected by a city-planning measure. - Finding out, at the Citizens Advice Bureau of the corresponding district, if the activity that we want to develop is eligible for a work license and if the area is affected by a Uses Plan which can limit or restrict the granting of licenses for establishments of public attendance (See in-depth report "Trading Licences") - Requesting information about supplies, in order to find out if the payments of supplies (electricity, gas, etc.) are up to date; it is advisable to request either the last paid receipt or to contact the corresponding company, so that they can give you this information. 2 / 21

But why choose Barcelona as a location for your business? Well, as the following table taken from the Website of Observatori Barcelona 2007 shows, Barcelona is still one of the best European cities in which to set up a business. 3 / 21

In addition to this, Barcelona has a rich business network with a high number of small businesses and a population with diverse business interests. This is a fact reflected in the following graph, taken from the Observatori Barcelona 2007 report, which shows the percentage of population that has set up a business in the city. Barcelona is a dynamic city which hosts many different businesses, making it one of the most popular European capitals when it comes to entrepreneurial spirit. 4 / 21

02. Trade in the City The following table shows the evolution of the number of retail trades in Barcelona from 2000 to 2005. Let s look at the evolution of wholesale trades for the same time period. Here is the evolution of services-related activities for the same period: 5 / 21

The following table, taken from the Statistics Department of Barcelona City Council, shows the number of existing licenses, in each area, in 2005 (latest data available to date). 6 / 21

03. Which are the commercial areas and what do they offer? A Commercial axis (commercial area) consists of several trade unions located around a commercial street, or a polarity centre which acts as a centre of attraction (such as, for example, a market or large commercial centre). These perfectly delimited urban areas act as open-air shopping centres. With common regeneration plans, establishments which belong to the area are able to coordinate their various joint activities. In this way, it is possible to offer a constant, varied and competitive range of goods and services to people, within their own district. The main objectives of the areas are: - To delimit a commercial area - To adapt the area s city-planning so that it meets the commercial needs - To give the area a name or generic brand image - To promote the area commercially, creating internal and external promotions essential to maintaining basic customer flow The concentrated range of goods and services on offer in these areas, aims to provide customers with a common brand image, as well as provide special advantages and services (discounts, joint campaigns of seasonal sales and discounts, joint credit cards, free parking vouchers) similar to those offered by shopping centres. Currently, Barcelona city has the following Commercial Areas: 01. Carrer de Sants 02. Barna Centre 03. BCN de Palau a Palau 04. Eix comercial de Gran de Gràcia 05. Eix Comercial del Raval 06. El Cor d Horta 07. Creu Coberta 08. Sarrià Eix Comercial 09. Eix Comercial de Sant Gervasi 10. Gracianova Eix Comercial 11. Cor Eixample 12. Eix Maragall 13. L Eix de Sant Andreu 14. La Rambla 15. Sant Antoni Comerç 16. Nou Barris Centre Comerç There are other areas which are traditional commercial hubs, not properly qualified as axes, but which can be added to this list: - The Barcelona Shopping line commercial area, supported by Barcelona Tourist Board, brings together 5 kilometres of high class stores located in Avinguda Diagonal. The area runs from Plaça Maria Cristina to the intersection with Passeig de Gràcia, and right along the avenue to Plaça Catalunya. (From March 2008, the commercial areas 7 / 21

previously mentioned, which make up the Fundació Barcelona Comerç, are members of Barcelona Shopping Line) - Specific areas of high commercial specialization, almost in a monoculture scale of a particular type of trade: Wholesale trades of clothes in the neighbourhood around Trafalgar and Ausiàs Marc streets, in the lower part of the right-hand side of the Eixample, progressively monopolized by the Chinese community. Bazaars of electric home appliances and jewellery stores in the streets around Reina Cristina Street (near the Barceloneta). The Foundation Barcelona Comerç (http://www.eixosbcn.org), is an organization which groups commercial areas and aims to promote trade in the city in a joint, coordinated and dynamic way; at the same time, it is open to other organizations and associations of retailers that do not belong to a commercial area. 8 / 21

04. Where to look for premises On our website, BarcelonaNetactiva, it is possible to access one of the most effective virtual finders of premises: the Col legi dadministradors de Finques de Barcelona, http://www.barcelonanetactiva.com/entrada.nsf/pagines/cercaimm, This website offers entrepreneurs information on existing available premises. 9 / 21

05. Description and analysis of the various commercial areas in the city Barna Centre Barna Centre The Gothic District is one of the most charismatic areas of Barcelona. Its tradition as an old quarter of the city and its constantly evolving nature, have turned it into a highly dynamic social and commercial centre. Barna Centre, the trade union of the district, was established in 1973, with the initiative of a group of retailers who wanted to regenerate the area and promote its historical possibilities. The initial association is today a federation of 18 associations of retailers from the 25 streets and squares of the district. The commercial area houses more than a thousand establishments, offering a huge variety of products and services. It occupies an area of almost 60,000 square meters and employs 4,000 people. There is a certain predominance of low and mid-range clothing and accessories stores, many of them under franchise, tourist souvenirs, decorative and household items, as well as a wide range of fast food and traditional restaurants and hotel facilities, and a high number of night time entertainment establishments. Federació d'associacions de Barnacentre Av. Portal de l'àngel 4, 2n. 08002 Barcelona Telephone: 933 187 744 Fax: 933 180 537 bc@barnacentre.es http://www.barnacentre.es BCN de Palau a Palau (BCN from Palace to Palace) The commercial area of the historical centre, from Palau de la Música to Pla de Palau, passing through the medieval palaces of Montcada Street, consists of 1,000 establishments, and represents specialized retail trade (design, craftsmanship and typical Barcelonian art), with an urban trade focus aimed at visitors and residents of the city alike. This axis has several projects being developed simultaneously, such as the city-planning of Via Laietana, which will become a boulevard; local commerce, with the renovation of Santa Caterina Market; and the transformation of the old Market of the Born into a museum which will house the history of Catalonia. Essentially, it is a commercial area to be explored at leisure, which is filled with surprises, and offers perhaps the friendliest face of the shopping on offer in Barcelona. In the area surrounding the refurbished Santa Caterina Market, small traditional trades are often combined with a reorientated range of goods, to meet the needs of the Dominican community and Latin American populations of the area. This can be seen in the new, expanded range of food and household items on offer, largely thanks to the mentioned reopening of the Market. In the southern part of 10 / 21

the area (the Born district), the predominating retail trades are clothing, jewellery and designer accessories of middle and top-range, for a cosmopolitan and cutting-edge public; there is also an ample variety of traditional and trendy restaurants, new hotel facilities and night time entertainment spots. Federació de Comerç del Casc Antic Sant Pere Mitjà, 52 1ª 08003 Barcelona Telephone / Fax: 932 684 112 info@bcndepalauapalau.com http://www.bcndepalauapalau.com Gran de Gràcia Gran de Gràcia Street is located in the main central axis of the city. Running parallel to the sea, it communicates the harbour and its surrounding districts with the districts next to the Collserola mountain range. Gran de Gracia street with features such as wide sidewalks and excellent traffic systems, has become an area with huge trade potential. Its status as a commercial area, however, is nothing new: it was the main street and the street with most stores, of the old Villa de Gràcia quarter. Nowadays, it continues to be the most important commercial district on this side of Barcelona. The area has a certain predominance of low and mid-range clothing and accessories stores, as well as household items and electrical home appliances. Some of the stores in the area have a long tradition. In the surrounding areas, there is a high concentration of restaurants - some of them selling exotic food, particularly from the Middle East and North of Africa, in Verdi Street - as well as bars and other night time entertainment spots. Associació de Comerciants del Carrer Gran de Gràcia Gran de Gràcia, 73 08012 Barcelona Tel: 932 170 100 / 932 170 938 Fax: 932 177 320 info@eixgrandegracia.com http://www.eixgrandegracia.com El Cor d Horta (The Heart of Horta) Until the beginning of the 20th century, Horta was an agricultural area, where everything grown was consumed by the inhabitants. It was not until the town, included in the plan of Barcelona, was annexed to the city, and the urbanization around the squares of Santes Creus and Eivissa began (with the local market being held in the center), that an important trade activity began to develop, the result of which is the current commercial area, El Cor d Horta. Its apparent youth has not, however, been an impediment to the commercial development of the district. Goods and services on offer in the axis are a mix of low-range clothing and accessories stores, food establishments, electrical home appliances and household items stores. The customized nature of the stores has enabled proprietors to create strong bonds with their customers. 11 / 21

Federació de Comerç Cor d'horta i Mercat Passatge Vila i Rosell 8 08032 Barcelona Telephone/Fax: 934 290 731 info@corhorta.com http://www.corhorta.com Carrer de Sants (Sants Street) The commercial area of Sants, established on July 14th 1999, is located in the Sants-Montjuic quarter, particularly along the 4 kms between Plaça de Espanya (Espanya Square) and the Collblanc highway. It is considered, together with the commercial area of Creu Coberta, the longest commercial street in Europe. Nowadays, it is one of the most dynamic areas of the city, and its age-old tradition of commerce - spanning more than 200 years - has turned these two streets (which are in fact one), into one of the most popular in Barcelona. There are more than 650 establishments in the Creu Roberta and Carrer de Sants districts, many restaurants, mid and low range clothing and footwear stores and accessories stores, electrical home appliances and household items stores, two local markets as well as a wide variety of other services (banks, public libraries, shopping centres ), all of which combine to make this long commercial street the main axis of the Sants district. Sants Establiments Units Pl. de Sants, 1 (aparcament) 08014 Barcelona Tel.: 93 431 96 00 Fax: 934 318 892 carrerdesants@carrerdesants.cat http://www.carrerdesants.cat Creu Coberta The Creu Coberta commercial area, together with Carrer de Sants, is the longest commercial street in Europe. The axis of the Creu Coberta conducts its own activities and campaigns, but the most general and important ones are conducted together with the Carrer de Sants axis. All kinds of stores can be found in this commercial area, as well as two local markets and many other services. This is what makes this long commercial street the main axis of the Hostafrancs district and, by extension, of the Sants district. Associació de Comerciants i Veïns de Creu Coberta Callao 9, baixos 08014 Barcelona Telephone: 933 321 707 Fax: 934 250 892 info@creucoberta.com http://www.creucoberta.com 12 / 21

Sarrià Sarrià was the last town to be annexed to the city in the Plan of Barcelona. Its local town atmosphere can still be felt in the streets, and there are many people who still use the expression go down to Barcelona, when they need to go to the city centre. This, however, is not the only reminder of the days of Sarrià's independence. The many family-based and traditional stores also illustrate this perfectly. The commercial area of Sarrià is one of the newest in Barcelona. It was created organically, around Carrer Major de Sarrià, the main street of the old town, and offers a wide range of large stores selling good quality food products, beauty products, jewellery, clothing, accessories and household items of mid and top range. Associació de Comerciantes de Sarrià Canet 20 08017 Barcelona Telephone/Fax: 932 044 026 acs@eixsarria.com http://www.eixsarria.com Sant Gervasi The commercial area of Sant Gervasi is about two kilometres long and extends along the longitudinal axis of Muntaner Street, in the middle of the district, communicating the highest part of the city, near the Collserola mountain range, with the city centre. Sant Gervasi has almost 90,000 residents, upper-middle class, 60% of whom do their shopping in the quarter. After the Eixample, it is the area of Barcelona with most square meters devoted to retail trade, with more than 263,000 ms ², and almost 10% of the total trade of the city. The goods on offer are extremely varied: food-delicatessen, decoration and gifts, beauty products, clothing, jewellery and accessories, electrical home appliances, household items, the majority of which are top range. There are also a significant number of bars and night time entertainment spots, as well as private schools and medical centres. Associació de Comerciants i Professionals BARNAVASI Septimània 31, baixos Local 3 08006 Barcelona Telephone/Fax: 932 176 179 info@barnavasi.com http://www.barnavasi.com 13 / 21

Eix comercial del Raval (Raval commercial area) The historical and popular Raval quarter, in Ciutat Vella, houses the Eix commercial del Raval commercial area. The Raval is one of the areas which have been most regenerated in the past few years. This trend towards revival, in the commercial sector, encouraged members of the Raval Trade Union to create a commercial axis with 490 stores - from among the 2,000 stores of the area which occupy an area of more than 7,000 ms ². The most notable feature of the area is that it does not consist of one or two streets in a continuous line, but of several axes grouped in one axis, each with its own specialized commercial goods. The majority of establishments in the Raval quarter are family-based and traditional. You can find a wide variety of international gastronomy, with restaurants serving many different kinds of food. The diversity and specialization of its commerce, as well as its location in the heart of Barcelona, are the main distinguishing features of this commercial area. Federació d Associacions de Comerç i Entitats del Raval Nou de la Rambla 14, baixos 08001 Barcelona Tel.: 933 018 267 info@eixraval.com http://www.eixraval.com Nou Barris Centre Comerç The local district of Nou Barris is in the northern area of the city. Until the 1950 s, it was barely inhabited, but since then, has become the third largest district in terms of number of residents, with more than 170,000 people, and a population density per km² far higher than the average of Barcelona. The huge trade potential of this area was given a boost with the creation of a commercial area with more than 600 commercial establishments, along the four main streets (Passeig de Fabra i Puig, Carrer de Pi i Molist, Passeig Verdum and Via Júlia), offering a diverse and competitive range of goods including mid and low range clothing and accessories, food establishments, decoration, household items and electrical home appliances. Promotora de Empresas Comerciales Haciendo Futuro, SL La Selva 40-50, local 3 08016 Barcelona Tel/Fax: 933 531 057 info@eixnoubarris.com http://www.eixnoubarris.com 14 / 21

Gracinova GraciNova is a group of establishments located in the Gracia Nova quarter, next to the old centre of Gràcia, in the highest part of the city. It is a rather new and modern quarter which has developed its own style as well as an important commercial activity. The area has more than 1,500 establishments, where 60% of the residents of the district does its daily shopping. It spans an area of 32,000 ms ² and has a population of 24,000. The goods and services on offer are varied and include mid range clothing and accessories stores, food establishments, electric home appliances and household items stores, as well as a significant number of bars and restaurants. Gracinova Eix Comercial Encarnació, 132, Entlo 4ª 08024 Barcelona Tel: 932 847 713 / 932 107 856 Fax: 932 853 022 gracianova@gracianova.com http://www.gracianova.com Cor Eixample Cor Eixample is the generic brand of the axis promoted by the Trade Union of Merchants and Professionals of the Eixample Dreta. Located in one of the most emblematic zones of Barcelona, right in the middle of the commercial centre of the city, it offers the unique opportunity to shop in an area filled with wonderful buildings, many of which are in the catalogue of architectural heritage of the city. In addition, the area has other popular attractions, such as famous stores unique to Barcelona -Can Pícara, Pliegue...- and the diverse offices of liberal professionals which attract clients from all over the city and the surrounding areas, clients who, after their appointments with the doctor, lawyer, notary, etc., walk around the area, shop in more than 3,000 stores (traditional or designer stores) selling top-of-the-range clothing and accessories, jewellery, household items, books, decoration, beauty products, etc. and afterwards, have something to eat in any one of the wide variety of restaurants and bars in the area. Associació de Comerciants i Professionals Dreta Eixample Consell de Cent, 352, baixos interior 08009 Barcelona Tel/Fax: 934 871 243 coreixample@coreixample.com http://www.coreixample.com 15 / 21

Eix Maragall Eix Maragall was created in 1996, to promote trade in the natural axis existing in the 2km and 200m between the streets of Sant Antoni Maria Claret and Frederic Rahola. The axis runs through three different quarters - Sant Andreu, Nou Barris and Horta- where there are more than 1,000 establishments, of which around 450 are retail trades. One of its main objectives, besides promoting the commercial area, is to offer all kinds of services and advantages to its affiliated stores. The goods and services on offer in the area is mixed: mid-range clothing and accessories, food establishments, electrical home appliances and household items, bars and restaurants. Associació de Botiguers Trinxant-Maragall Segle XX 6 08041 Barcelona Tel/Fax: 934 080 526 eixmaragall@eixosbcn.org http://www.eixmaragall.com Eix de Sant Andreu Located in the northern area of the city, Sant Andreu is one of the historical quarters. It is an old town which was annexed to Barcelona a century ago; it has always had its own personality, but is also completely integrated in the idiosyncrasy of the city. The philosophy of the retailers of Sant Andreu - the same as that of most of its neighbours- is centred around a Mediterranean city model. The aim is to provide a district where people can live, work, go shopping and have fun, all in the same area. There is a wide variety of goods and services on offer, with more than 800 establishments of different kinds, in particular, food, household items, clothing and accessories of low and mid range, decoration, bars and restaurants. Gestió de L'Eix Comercial SL Gran de Sant Andreu 121, 1r. 08030 Barcelona Tel: 933 462 370 / 933 458 964 Fax: 933 461 490 eix@l-eix.com http://www.l-eix.com 16 / 21

La Rambla La Ramba is one of the liveliest places in Barcelona, a city inside a city. It has become an emblematic place in Barcelona, because it belongs to its citizens and foreign visitors alike; it is not just the patrimony of the people who live and work in the city. The main features of La Rambla, evident in its colourfulness and liveliness, are supplemented by excellent services and quality trades which help build on its international fame. La Rambla is one of the most symbolic images of the city. The area has more than 500 commercial establishments of mid-range clothing and accessories stores, souvenir stores, small supermarkets and a large number of bars, cafes, and traditional and fast food restaurants, many of which cater to tourists, due to the high numbers of these who visit the area year round. Associació d'amics, Veïns i Comerciants de la Rambla La Rambla 88-94, 3r. (entrance through Passatge Amadeu Bagués) 08002 Barcelona Tel: 933 172 940 Fax: 934 120 834 larambla@laramblabcn.com http://www.laramblabcn.com Sant Antoni Comerç The Sant Antoni Comerç commercial area is different from other commercial areas in that it consists of an entire district. It has more than 2,500 commercial and services establishments, 1,000 of which are associated, and offers a very complete range of goods and services. The union of 8 associations created the axis in 1985, in order to promote the area, encourage competitiveness and offer the best possible services to its customers, all within the district itself. The highest concentration of stores is found in Ronda Sant Antoni, especially when it comes to electronics and computer equipment. You can also find many food stores, complementing the Sant Antoni Market, and mid-range clothing and accessories, as well as decoration and household item stores. Sant Antoni Comerç Tamarit, 169, pral. 2ª 08015 Barcelona Telephone/Fax: 934 248 010 sac@santantonibcn.com http://www.santantonibcn.com 17 / 21

06. Prices of business premises Estimated rental prices (2008 data) Estimated rental prices by statistical area: 18 / 21

Estimated rental prices by district: 19 / 21

07. Prices of business premises Estimated purchase prices (2008 data) Estimated purchase prices by statistical area: 20 / 21

Estimated purchase prices by district: Written by the Barcelonanetactiva team from the following sources of information: - http://www.bcn.es/estadistica/catala/dades/ - http://www.eixosbcn.org - Observatori Barcelona http://www.observatoribarcelona.org/ - Statistics Department of Barcelona City Council http://www.bcn.cat/estadistica/catala/dades/timm/ipreus/index.htm Barcelona Activa SAU SPM, 1998-2009 - Last Update: 16/09/2009 Barcelona Activa SAU SPM will ensure that this information and the data contained in the reports are accurate and faithful. These reports are published to provide general information. Barcelona Activa SAU SPM will not accept under any circumstance any responsibility for losses, damages or theft, or for any other business decisions based on data or pieces of information that can be extracted from this report. 21 / 21