what future for the extension of the terraces of bars and restaurants?
It is no longer surprising to see tables and chairs spilling over part of the Place du Capitole. For several months, the town hall of Toulouse has authorized restaurants and bars to extend their terraces on the public road. More 500 establishments beneficial. This measurement was taken at the exit of the first containment to help them go up the slope. The health crisis forced restaurant owners to close for many months.
But this authorization could coming to an end soon. The extension decree ends on September 30, 2021. Restaurant owners hope to see it renewed. “We call president an extension of the decree that is done everywhere”, Ivo Danaf, of theUMIH 31 (Union of Trades and Hotel Industries of Haute-Garonne). The city of Paris has authorized pour seven months in the year the extensions of terraces.
A case study by terrace extensions in Toulouse
For its part, the Toulouse municipality has not made a decision yet. “We are working on the issue. In principle, I am in favor of the extension. But we must verify that certain conditions will be met,” said Jean-Luc Moudenc, of his back-to-school press conference on September 15. To do this, the Toulouse town hall is currently carrying out a case-by-case study.
“There must not have been any upsurges of nuisance. Otherwise, there will be no recognition. We must look carefully if the extension has not sent the public to move like pedestrians or people with reduced mobility. It may then be necessary to cut back on the extension. I want an objective examination then after we will see “, announces the councilor. Some of these conditions surprise Ivo Danaf. “For noise pollution, whether there is an extension or not, it’s the same. In addition, the extensions which were already disturbing have been banned”, indicates the president of the UMIH 31.
An extension of terraces to the detriment of Toulouse residents?
The mayor of Toulouse is also wondering about the eight streets closed in the evening to accommodate the extension of the terraces. “Has this created traffic difficulties? If there were problems, it will not be perpetuated. This measure must not be done to the detriment of Toulouse residents,” he underlines. But Ivo Danaf assures us: “The extension of the terraces is not done to their detriment”.
“The terraces are full. It is the people of Toulouse who emerge there. If we have to listen to people who are embarrassed, they are for everything,” he says. The president of Umih 31 continued: “We must strike a balance between respect for residents and the wishes of Toulouse residents. But not at any cost. If certain extensions are not in the rules, they must be limited. If there is no problem, we must not invent restrictions “, believes Ivo Danaf.
Restaurant owners want an extension until the end of summer 2022
For him, the extension of the terraces is essential in these times of health crisis. “We are only making up for the losses suffered. The time to recover, it takes easily two to three years. We must continue to grant aid for catering. A restaurant is a business like any other. the town hall to accompany us until the end of the crisis. Even if it is lessened, it is not over. We are still in a pandemic “, he insists.
UMIH 31 therefore wishes to extend the extension of the terraces until the end of summer 2022. “That would be the most reasonable. The next six-month calm period is not going to benefit everyone,” added Ivo Danaf. The municipality is expected to vote on the extension “early next week”.