In Toulouse, final negotiations on Covid terrace extensions
Some 200 restaurateurs and café owners in Toulouse, who have claimed economic difficulties, can request a final extension of their terrace extension until October 31.
Granted by the town hall of Toulouse during the Covid crisis to support restaurateurs and cafetiers, and therefore in an exceptional way, terrace extensions never cease to exist and to be talked about. Extended for the first time in September 2021 until March 31, 2022, they will disappear on this date. The Capitol then announced that this was the case for 248 extensions out of the 423 granted. These are all those who turned up on taxi, motorcycle or delivery locations, which were in streets that were closed at the time, or which had caused problems for the neighborhood or the passage of disabled people. But the town hall also announced a new phase of discussion for the others.
Because the professionals have stepped up to the plate and the town hall has been sensitive to their arguments. “We got the message across,” explains Olivier Bouscatel, vice-president of the Federation of Trade Associations. A message on their economic difficulties in three points: the start of the repayment of the Loan guaranteed by the State, the fact that some restaurateurs, thinking that the extensions will be extended, have hired staff, and finally the loss of turnover. Especially since the difficult context is accumulated by the war in Ukraine: the profession is suffering from the soaring prices of raw materials, in particular sunflower oil for frying.
Until October 31
But if she heard the arguments, the town hall wants to verify them. Professionals have until May 6 to submit an application. Then a commission chaired by the elected official in charge of the terraces, Christophe Alvès, will decide in mid-May. If the restaurateurs and café owners keep the criteria, “the terrace will be until October 31”, advances Christophe Alvès. And not beyond.
On paper, 225 terrace operators, in the city center but also in the suburbs, are likely to request the extension.
The commission which decided on the extension will bring together, in addition to the town hall, the Federation of traders, the chamber of commerce, the trade unions… Which, in the eyes of Olivier Bouscatel, is “a great first”. For this professional, “the idea is that those who really need a Covid terrace can have it”. In his eyes, the majority of these terraces “do not cause a problem” of nuisance.