The city council and the El Molino foundation reached a deal to turn Paral-lel into a hub for leisure and recreation, culture, commercial activity and civic business.

Announcing the partnership, Barcelona mayor Jordi Hereu proclaimed that the council was trying to build “a 21st century Paral-lel”.

Elvira Vazquez, chairwoman of the El Molino group, said: “We want Paral-lel to realise its potential as a strategic hub and a driving force for street culture.”

Through the improvement of this important thoroughfare, the city of Barcelona will be “giving a boost to its own shared, welcoming and public-spirited values”, Ms Vazquez added.

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