Seville City Council has begun the process of terminating the awning contract for Avenida de la Constitución, leaving the main artery of the city centre without sun protection until at least 2027.
Avenida de la Constitución, the monumental axis connecting the Cathedral with Plaza de San Francisco, faces its second consecutive summer without the protection of awnings. Seville City Council has initiated the procedure to terminate the contract with the company Heliopol, responsible for the awning system since 2021. The decision, approved by the executive commission of the Urban Planning Management, nullifies the installation planned for this year and forces pedestrians to seek refuge in the arcades or in the scarce shadows cast by the buildings.
A broken contract after years of delays
The original contract, signed in 2021, anticipated the installation of awnings for three consecutive summers. However, the deadlines kept extending: the favourable report from the Provincial Heritage Commission of the Junta de Andalucía did not arrive until January 2024, and the first canvases were not installed until the summer of 2025. That system, supported by large concrete blocks on the sides of the street, generated both aesthetic and functional criticism.
The City Council, led by José Luis Sanz, then decided to explore an alternative. However, the new design did not arrive in time for this summer. Instead, the Council has opted to terminate the existing contract, allowing for a new tender with different criteria. According to municipal sources, the aim is to implement a lighter and less invasive shading system, although its implementation is not expected until 2027.
Heliopol also under scrutiny for the San Telmo bridge
The termination of the contract directly affects Heliopol, the company also responsible for the installation of awnings on the San Telmo bridge. In this second location, work continues without a completion date, despite the initial deadline being four months. The situation has caused discontent among local merchants, who see how the lack of shade drives customers away on the hottest days.
For residents in the city centre, the news comes as a cold shower. Avenida de la Constitución is one of the busiest streets in the city, especially during the summer when tourism peaks. Without awnings, walking under the July and August sun becomes a test of endurance. Temperatures in Seville frequently exceed 40 degrees, and the absence of shade in such a large space can deter even the most enthusiastic.
An uncertain future for shade in the centre
The City Council has announced that the next step will be to draft a new technical specifications document for the tender. A design that does not require large concrete blocks and is more integrated with the monumental surroundings is being sought. However, the timelines are long: from drafting the project to awarding and installing, the process can take over a year. So, barring a major surprise, both Sevillians and visitors will have to arm themselves with patience and hats until 2027.
In the meantime, the City Council recommends using alternative streets with arcades, such as Calle Sierpes or Plaza del Salvador. But for those needing to cross Avenida de la Constitución, there is no choice but to grab an umbrella or seek out the hours of less sun. The decision to terminate the contract, while necessary to change the model, leaves a shadow void that will be felt significantly in the heart of Seville.
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