Smaller terraces and earlier closing in Amsterdam: according to entrepreneurs in the Red Light District, that is precisely what causes problems
The Amsterdam city center is so busy again Mayor Femke Halsema has decided to make the terraces smaller and see the. This to the anger of catering entrepreneurs: “Many of us have a tax debt.”
During corona, catering entrepreneurs in Amsterdam and other cities were allowed to expand their terraces. The intention was until November 2022.
Tourists are back
But now Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema is withdrawing this decision due to the large crowds in the capital.
“With the start of the summer season and the return of tourists, the pressure on accessibility, quality of life and public space is increasing,” says Halsema. As of Friday 6 May, the terraces must return to the format.
‘Municipality must act’
After 2 years of rust, local residents of the Red Light District in Amsterdam see the center filling up again. Olav Ulrich of the residents’ committee ‘Stop the madness’ believes that the municipality should act against this.
“At a certain point it is so full here that nothing can get through. Then it is a continuous screaming, pissing and pooping. Everyone suffers from that.”
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The head of jut
Catering entrepreneurs in the center of the capital feel cheated, says Barry van den Berg cafe owner on Nieuwmarkt in Amsterdam. He is also president of the local business association.
“Many of us have tax debts after corona. Those wider terraces have been promised to help us. And now it is being taken over from us. We are the head of jut.”
‘Symbol politics’
In addition to making the terraces smaller, the municipality is thinking about bringing the closing time for the catering industry earlier.
“It’s just symbolic politics. We create peace. With those early people off their seats. Then you are dealing with problems,” says Van den Berg.