“We have to play the game”: the fairgrounds of the Foire Attractions de Monaco adapt to the rise in energy prices
The world of fairgrounds is no exception. Energy sobriety, a new fashionable term for the start of the 2022 school year, must also apply to the Foire Attractions. Freshly opened since Friday, there was a small detail that may not have escaped first-time visitors. No, it’s not a new attraction that will make you dizzy, nor a new stand, but the absence of light.
Because it’s new this year: lights out until 4:30 p.m. In other words, it will only be possible to turn on the lights of the various rides from snack time. This is what the mayor of Monaco, the councilors and the fair agreed on. “The fair is luminosity to brighten up, to give a glimpse, recognizes Robert Dumont, president of the showmen. Our goal is to light up immediately so that customers can see that it’s open.” But the manager knows he has no choice. He will follow the rules. “We are so used to lighting our establishments, it is in our customs. But we play the game and we have to play the game.”
No increase in the price of rides
Only here, the simple fact of turning off more than 5 hours of light per day certainly lowers the amount of the invoice but is not enough. Despite everything, in the face of inflation, the showmen decided not to revise their prices upwards. “We didn’t want to increase them because everything increases for peopleStéphane explains who holds gripper machines. We who work with the working class cannot afford it. We want people to come and celebrate.” Even if it means making some sacrifices. “ It will be less profit but we are so happy to do this fair that it makes up for everything”adds Robert Dumont.
All against the background of the fuel crisis
To make matters worse, the difficulty in obtaining fuel did not suit the showmen. Because if some come from the region, others have to drive hundreds of kilometers. “It was very hot, say Marc and Vincent who came specially from Biarritz. They both manage the unbeatable bumper cars. We had to fill cans. And yet we anticipated when we saw that there was beginning to be a shortage. We left in the night to fill some cans. Two days later, it was no longer allowed. We did the D system like all the French.”
Although the situation is improving day by day, Stéphane also fears the problem of gasoline, but for other reasons. “The problem also arises for customers. I’m afraid that those who are a bit far away, those who take their cars to come, are reluctant to keep their gas to go to work.” Because attendance will be an important issue to counter the rise in prices.