A situation of “drowning in accounts”. That is the main reason why the managers of Las Armas have decreed the definitive closure of the cultural center on January 2, 2025. It has been in a statement in which they have confirmed that “the bulk of the investment to continue with the space makes the project unfeasible.”
Since the reopening of the space in February 2023, they count, “the building’s deficiencies were a burden on investments, a situation that continues to this day.” “We did not start from a normal transitional situation but from three years of closure due to the pandemic. To this precarious situation must be added the compensation of ten workers after the subrogation of the former concession that have ended up drowning the accounts,” they say.
The Las Armas center, managed by Global Hostelería 2022 and Fuse Records Fluge Zaragoza, reopened its doors with the aim of “revitalize an emblematic space in the city’s culture”. However, this situation of “economic precariousness” coupled with, they say, “mistakes, for sure, in management” has led to the closure.
“From Las Armas we want to thank all the workers who have put their effort and dedication for these almost three years, to the artists who have returned to the stage, to the companies for their understanding, to Estrella Galicia for its commitment to music and culture in Zaragoza and, especially, to the whole neighborhood of San Pablo and the world of culture in the city. The expressions of affection received both from the neighbors and from the associations and the School of Music, with which we wanted to go hand in hand from day one, fill us with pride and a great memory for all the work, investment and effort made,” they concluded.
For the moment, Zaragoza City Council has not ruled out taking over the ownership of the space nor any of the other options.. “It is necessary to analyze why the business model has not worked, rethink the needs of both the neighborhood and the city and explore the best way to make use of this space. We do not close any possibility,” he said.