Berga municipal market to be redeveloped for new uses

The municipal market of Berga, central Catalonia, is set for a major redevelopment. 

With a capacity of 103 stalls, the market of the old town center has suffered the consequences of the loss of residents in the neighborhood and the opening of larger commercial areas. 

Currently, only two stallholders remain in the market, whose licenses are to expire within four years. 

The town's councilor for urban planning, Aleix Serra, doesn't believe it is possible for the market to regain its former vitality, "no matter how many renovations are made," he said. 

Berga Council is working on projects to transform the existing market space and adapt it for other uses. 

The remaining stallholders, currently the only ones taking care of the facilities, believe that the city abandoned them to "the hands of God." 

"It's a shame that it's being lost because small businesses are being lost," Anna Maria Capdevila, the manager of the La Valenciana fruit stall said.  

The manager of the Casa Madriles stall, Elena Venturós, points out that they earn their living in the market. "People know us and prefer to come and shop here," she said. 

The urban planning councilor believes new uses, such as offices, can be put in place in the market while preserving the remaining stalls. 

"They are the ones who have helped the market resist, and the council does not intend to expel them," Aleix Serra said. 

The goal is for a specific project "in accordance with the stalls" to be defined within this council term.