Toulouse: unhappy with their new locations, some street vendors are angry
Micmac around the locations of the street vendors at the Stadium or at Ernest Wallon. Some do not agree with their new places allocated this month by the town hall.
At the Stadium as at Ernest Wallon, the supporters have traditions. Some can’t see a game without stopping by the bodega with a cold beer in hand. Others prefer to turn to the attractive smell that comes from Rachid’s stand and his hot fries. This traveling salesman has been at the same location in Ernest Wallon for more than 13 years.
“This place means everything to me. I met my wife here. All the customers know that I am there,” he admits. Yet this season, Rachid will have to change his habits. For the return of football and rugby to Toulouse, the town hall of Toulouse has issued a call for projects for a renewal of the places allocated to itinerant vendors. And some regulars have seen their pitches move.
“Before, I had a perfect place. For this season, I find myself far away and surrounded by CRS trucks. Who wants to come and order around half a dozen police vehicles? , regrets Rachid.
A significant loss for street vendors
“What irritates us is that we don’t even understand the decision of the town hall. It represents a real shortfall, ”also hastens to comment on Patrick, who had a truck that prepared sausages, andouillettes and skewers on game nights. At 63, he only had a few more years left to work before retiring. “For the moment, I have completely jumped. Without any explanation, I no longer have a location,” continues Patrick.
The anger rises and Rachid sees it above all as a personal matter: “I have nothing to reproach myself for. I was threatened and asked not to talk about it. It is not normal. If this continues, something will happen. I’m going to take action”, A few years ago, the Toulousain had already gone on a hunger strike.
On the side of the Capitol, we are trying to calm things down. “The allocation of places is subject to various criteria, such as the quality and solidity of the offer or the originality of the concept”, tempers Cécile Dufraisse, in charge of the file at Toulouse City Hall. “There was a call for tenders. On a peeled all the records. Then we categorized them. It’s not up to the seller. There are tensions because some no longer have the same location, but still take care to keep a criterion of anteriority, ”assures the elected official.