Toulouse. Why some places offer parties when the nightclubs are closed
Through Anthony Assemat
Published on
On Monday December 6, 2021, Prime Minister Jean Castex and Minister of Health Olivier Véran announced a series of measures to try to stem the fifth wave of the Covid-19 epidemic. Among them is the closure of nightclubs for one month from Friday, December 10, 2021.
In question: the strong circulation of the virus among young people and the difficulties of wearing the mask “in these places”, says Jean Castex. The professionals designated by this measure will be “economically supported”, promises the Prime Minister.
“It was announced by forceps”
A measure that remains in the throes of professionals in the sector, in Toulouse in particular. Philippe Belot, the boss of the Downtown Factory nightclub, had responded strongly toToulouse news, the very evening of this mass coup.
“We suspected that something was going to happen but we would not think that there would be such an announcement, without the slightest consultation, and without the slightest measure of support and compensation having been planned. instant, there is nothing! It was announced by forceps and decided suddenly “.
Last club nights this Thursday
Consequently, the clubs of the Pink City had programmed a last night of celebration, Thursday, December 9, 2021. Example in Nine, to Sesquières, who offered a big student party as a “der des ders”, or to Esmeralda, which set up a final free evening.
The Wall Club, in Muret (Haute-Garonne), had decided to call this farewell evening in 2021 “The masquerade” …
Why some parties will be held
However, other evenings are still on the agenda of certain places. At Zapata, we try to reassure its regulars by reminding us that the place remains open from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. It’s even sold out on Saturday December 11, 2021 for the Harry Potter evening, and two themed evenings and Djs Stranger Things are in the pipes on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December!
So why such a difference in diet? It is the decree N ° 2021-1585 which imposed the closure of nightclubs. “The administrative closure concerns type P establishments, therefore discotheques and any room which acts as a drinks outlet and offers a dance floor. Likewise, bars and restaurants are prohibited to host dancing activities“, Enlightens Philippe Belot.
Both a restaurant and a festive tapas bar, the Zapata therefore escapes the ax.
The concerts… without the club aspect at Connexion Live
And then there are these mixed places which will have to make their evening offer, dead at heart … without closing everything. This is the case of Live connection, rue Gabriel Péri. A well-known and central place for Toulouse nights, the Connexion will also offer a last night in club mode, Thursday, December 9, with a mix from the DJ of Fun Radio Toulouse, Ethan. A free evening extended exceptionally until 5 am.
But the Live Connection agenda will not end on Friday. The explanations of Vanessa Eudeline, site promotion and ticketing manager:
“We offer two evenings in Live format, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 December, but without the usual after club part. We open the bar at 5.30 p.m. and until 11 p.m. with concerts, and without obligation to be in a seated format. because the decree does not mention it. We have the triple designation of bar, concert hall and club, and therefore the P classification, since 2018 “.
Thus, the Connexion had to cancel its Release parties, its Connexion Club Party and its funky town. But also his New Years Eve party on December 31, a real blow to the bar.
Two evenings before closing
The Connexion Live could have continued to schedule concerts, but the evenings of December 10 and 11 will take place the last of the month (and of the year 2021 as a result) and the Connexion will close its doors on Saturday, November 11 at 3 a.m. morning. “We could stay open as a bar but economically, the Connexion needs its club nights. Without that, it doesn’t work, ”continues Vanessa Eudeline.
“Short-time working costs us money!”
The closure of nightclubs was a real blow to nightlife professionals in Toulouse. “Over a year, the month of December represents 20 to 25% of turnover,” explains Philippe Belot, vice-president of the UMIH Haute-Garonne.
The unions in the sector are currently negotiating with Matignon to take stock of compensatory aid. Among them, should figure the partial unemployment, this assumption of responsibility of 84% of the net salary of the employee by the State. But that’s not enough for the boss of Doiwntown Factory in the city center. “Short-time working cost us money who cares! It is social assistance for employees but not for companies. Because we still owe the CSG, the CRDS and above all, it is the pinnacle, paid vacation! When we reopened, I owed my employees 16 months of paid vacation. It’s a French gem. And I’m not even talking about the PGE (Loans guaranteed by the State, editor’s note) to be repaid in March 2022 “.
According to figures from Philippe Belot, “350 nightclubs out of the 1800 in the country have filed for bankruptcy” since the start of the health crisis, in March 2020. A situation that he indicates that he cannot quantify in Toulouse and Haute-Garonne.
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