A management agency on Sant Pere street in Figueres, one of the first businesses sanctioned for not having its signage in Catalan, has already changed the signs after the fine imposed by the City Council.
The modification of the signs arrives in the midst of a municipal campaign to guarantee compliance with the linguistic regulations in the city's establishments. In recent weeks, the council has opened files against several businesses for not having the signs in Catalan.
A change after the municipal sanction
The case of this management agency has become one of the first to materialize the effect of the sanctions promoted by the Figueres City Council. The business, located on one of the city's central streets, has adapted its exterior image after receiving the fine.
From the city council they maintain that the municipal action seeks that commercial signage complies with current legislation and, at the same time, reinforce the presence of Catalan in the public space.
Files on several businesses of the city
The management agency on Sant Pere street is not an isolated case. The City Council has opened in recent weeks files on several establishments for non-compliance related to commercial signage.
The municipal action takes place in a context of monitoring compliance with linguistic regulations in Figueres' businesses, an issue that has reopened the debate in the city about the scope of these sanctions and about the use of Catalan in the external image of businesses.
Free advice for adapting posters and information material
The council highlights that, along with the fines, it also makes available to traders free linguistic advice through the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística. This service is aimed at facilitating the translation of signs and informational material for establishments that must adapt.
With this system, the City Council maintains that it combines the sanctioning route with technical support to favor the adaptation of businesses to the regulations. The change of signs in the management office on Sant Pere street is now interpreted as one of the first visible movements of a campaign that remains open in Figueres.