The Paeria (City Council) has tendered the drafting of the construction project and the direction of the necessary works for an amount of 28,798 euros. The goal is to bring the Mercat del Pla, located at number 3 on Sant Martí street, back into use, following the proposal by the Aplec Cooperatiu to manage the facility.
The objective is to convert the building into a workspace and exchange area for social and solidarity economy entrepreneurs, an incubator for new cooperative projects, and a training venue.
This initiative seeks to consolidate the Mercat del Pla as a reference facility for promoting cooperativism in Lleida, intending to positively impact local socioeconomic development and the cohesion of the Barri Antic (Old Quarter). Flexible modular wooden systems are planned for installation, which can be dismantled, minimizing environmental impact while respecting the original construction.
The current “cooperative hub” project follows several failed attempts to reopen the facility, which ceased commercial activity in 2003. Previous attempts included projects to adapt it as a supermarket and art gallery (2006), as a fashion outlet (2014-2017), and as a gastronomic and proximity commerce space (2019), all of which were unsuccessful.
