Works at the gate guarding a space for loungers in Barcelona (6)

I believe the answer is:

playas

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'works' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for playas that I've seen before include "areas of dry land" , "temporary lakes" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.

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