Watch: Protests in Alicante after Madrid family buys iconic book store to turn into tourist flats

At least 500 people have taken to the streets of Alicante over plans to convert an iconic bookstore into tourist flats.

The much-lived 80 Mundos shop on Avenida General Marva was founded in 1984 and is one of the city’s most enduring cultural landmarks.

However, the building was recently purchased by a company owned by a wealthy family from Madrid, who plan to turn it into a several Airbnb-style properties.

The move has sparked anger among the local community, and comes amid a growing backlash against so-called ‘overtourism’ and a lack of affordable and accessible housing in tourist hotspots such as Alicante.

Supporters began gathering outside 80 Mundos before 7pm on Saturday, with a steady flow of customers arriving throughout the afternoon, many choosing to make purchases as a show of solidarity.

Shortly after 7.30pm, members of the bookstore’s team emerged to applause that lasted more than three minutes. The rally lasted approximately an hour.

‘The city belongs to the people, not to investment banks or companies seeking illegitimate profit,’ said Ralph del Valle, one of the bookstore’s partners, underscoring what many in attendance described as growing fatigue with the tourism-driven transformation of central Alicante.

Fellow partner Marina Vicente said: ‘The city has gone all out; our social media, emails, and cell phones have collapsed… It’s been so nice to see that we’re not alone in this. 80 Mundos is a little piece of Alicante’s home.’

Vicente confirmed that while the city’s Councilor for Culture had offered personal support, the mayor had yet to contact them directly.

Among those present was Fernando Linde, who founded the bookstore in 1984.

He told crowds: ‘We have to defend this space; cultural bookstores have been very important in this country.’

Protesters began chanting ‘Alicante no se vende!’ (Alicante is not for sale!), while holding up signs or pumping their fists in the air.

The protest was attended by politicians, including Ana Barcelo (PSOE), Rafa Mas (Compromís), and Manolo Cope (EU-Podemos), alongside a long list of regional authors, including Mariano Sanchez Soler, Fernando Parra, Jose Luis Ferris and Raul Quinto.

Read more Spain news at the Spanish Eye.