The main objective of this agreement is to create joint strategies between the different cities to preserve the European commercial heritage.

The agreement was signed in Barcelona as part of the “1st Day of Emblematic Trades in European Cities”. The document points to the need to promote government measures and special plans that allow the recognition of the importance of these establishments and contribute to their protection, conservation and enhancement with actions that favour their economic viability, heritage conservation and commercial function.

In addition, it adds that emblematic commercial establishments must participate in the co-creation of municipal policies for local commerce, in order to guarantee their competitiveness and advance in the professionalization of the sector and digitalization, through training and legal advice.

The four cities consider that it is necessary to create an international charter on historic stores in which it is determined, in a consensual way, what is considered emblematic or unique establishment and where its different typologies are defined with the levels of heritage protection (heritage, furniture, corresponding materials) and cultural (creativity), so that instruments for the protection and enhancement of this type of establishments can be defined. In this sense, it is essential to create specialized management units in public administrations in which the private sector also participates.