Costa Brava news. April 24
Barcelona and Costa Brava news. April 24. This week’s news selection includes a ban on nudism, shopping in Tossa, a sex workers’ lobby group and a move for a gallery. Published on Fridays.
Barcelona and Costa Brava news
Costa Brava news
Image sourceNaturism banned on beaches
The decision by Castell-Platja D’Aro’s town hall to ban nudism on its beaches in 2009 has been upheld by Spain’s Supreme Court.
The ban was initially set in 2009 when the Girona town said the beaches were used by families. The Catalán de Naturismo group challenged the ban on the grounds of nudism being a constitutional right, but the Supreme Court disagreed.
The Superior Court of Catalonia upheld the rule in February 2013 without the imposition of costs, but the Catalán de Naturismo presented an appeal to the Supreme Court. This time it was rejected and court costs were imposed.
The town hall has announced fines of up to €300 for nudists on particular beaches. Sun worshippers are still permitted to bathe topless and elsewhere in Spain the other 450 nudist beaches are still legal.
Barcelona news
One of the current exhibits. By Maria Teresa HincapiéNogueras Blanchard gallery on the move
The Nogueras Blanchard gallery is off to a new home. Historically it has been located on Xucla street in Barcelona, close to the ramblas. But after the summer it will relocate to its new home at the Hospitalet, specifically Isaac Peral street, an area that is being converted into a hub for creative Catalan businesses.
Alex Nogueras, who runs the contemporary art gallery with his wife Rebecca explained: “The space in carrer Xucla is becoming overwhelmed by Rambla tourism and we needed more space. Nogueras is now contacting other galleries with a view to creating a pool of comtemporary art galleries.
Nogueras Blanchard also has a branch on Calle Doctor Fourquet, in Madrid, a street already popular with art galleries.
Spain’s Supreme Court. Image sourceFirst sex workers lobby group set up in Barcelona
Prostitutes, and their lawyers and advocates have set up Spain’s first formal lobby group to encourage regional election candidates to recognise sex work in the same vein as other occupations, therefore guaranteeing worker rights.
The lobby group includes sex workers as well as lawyers and advocates who work closely with them.
Prostitution in Spain currently exists in a legal grey area. Although not actually illegal, it is currently unregulated. Barcelona has been cracking down on prostitution, including a recent action when a building in the El Raval district, where 30 prostitutes had lived and worked for more than a decade, was boarded up. Barcelona city council had purchased the building in December 2014.
The decision to form a lobby group came after a landmark ruling in February 2015 by a Spanish judge.
In a judgement hailed by many sex workers as a vital step towards marking the rights of those in the sex trade, the judge said that three women in a Barcelona brothel had rights to benefits contributions and healthcare from their employer.
A 2007 parliamentary report on prostitution estimated there are approximately 400,000 sex workers across Spain. According to the Spanish government, the sex workers generate €3.8 billion per year, much of it undeclared to authorities.
Tossa de Mar news
Tossa de Mar launches shopping campaign
Tossa de Mar is launching campaigns this year to encourage local trade
Tomorrow (April 25) will be a new edition of La Botiga al Carrer in which 60 shops are participating. A new app is being launched which will display all the participating outlets along with their information and promotions.
During May, shoppers will receive a uniquely designed shopping bag. To gain the bag, shoppers must use at least four of the participating outlets and spend at least €30. The shops will stamp a card which can then be used to claim the bag.
The Department of Economic Development will present 20 cards and 20 shopping bags to shop workers to kickstart the campaign. In all, 2,000 of the reusable bags have been made and all navy blue bags display the special Tossa logo Shops in Tossa wishing to join the campaign should contact the Department of Economic Development before April 27.
Councillor for Tourism and Economic Development, Ángeles Pujals, said: “Tossa is ready to start a new season. If you come to Tossa, you can enjoy our nature, the beaches, our heritage, our commercial fabric and undoubtedly our cuisine.”
Meanwhile, Anna Bagué, representing the collective group of shop owners added her support for the campaign, and added: “All commercial activities carried out are positive for Tossa de Mar trade.”
Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.
