Sitges restaurant PicNic to close after 70 years due to coastal law violation

The PicNic restaurant in Sitges is set to close this September after 70 years of operation. The closure follows a mandate from the Spanish State, which determined that the establishment violates the Coastal Law by occupying public maritime-terrestrial land.

The High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) recently dismissed the final appeal from the restaurant's owners, the Matas Arnalot Group, clearing the way for eviction. The Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) has issued an ultimatum for the premises to be vacated voluntarily by September 28 or through forced eviction by September 29.

The building, originally designed by architect José Antonio Coderch, has been in use since 1933. The current owners, representing the third and fourth generations of the family, expressed disagreement with the decision, noting that the closure leaves an empty building that could negatively impact the image of Sitges.