The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Anne Hidalgo: "Restaurants and bars can occupy public space"

2020-05-31T04:05:44.244Z


Parisian bars and restaurants with terraces can reopen on June 2. The PS mayor of the capital, reveals us exclusively


“Hundreds of jobs are at stake.” The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo (PS), explains how the municipality will help bars and restaurants to revive their activity. In Ile-de-France, orange zone, only the terraces can reopen on June 2. The total reopening of bars and restaurants can only be envisaged during phase 3 of the deconfinement, announced Thursday the Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe.

Bars and restaurants will reopen…

ANNE HIDALGO. I am delighted with this openness. I am also delighted with this return to a normal life, which we hope for and which we had anticipated with the restaurateurs, the chamber of commerce, the chamber of trades. We also discussed this subject at the Paris Council on May 18, and in particular the free occupation of part of the Paris area while respecting each of the sanitary rules.

Do you have full powers over this space or must you have the agreement of the prefecture?

We are in an area that is municipal, and therefore the responsibility of the mayor, and we are also on transitional and temporary measures to accompany the resumption of economic activity. An aid plan for bars and restaurants has been adopted for at least six months, from March to the end of September. Among these aids, out of confinement, there is the occupation of public space. It can be sidewalks when possible or parking spaces. It may also be certain weekends closing a street to traffic to allow bars or restaurants to have more space. And all this as soon as the charter that we put in place will be respected. Hundreds of jobs are at stake. Paris, in the crisis we are going through, must be alongside restaurants and bars. They are the soul of our city.

VIDEO. "Restaurants can occupy public space", announces Hidalgo

What does this charter contain?

It is innovative and more agile than what we have been able to do in the past. It has ten points. The first point is obviously to respect the health protocol. Afterwards, there is also the imperative respect for safety, firefighters access or even ensuring the accessibility of the sidewalks for pedestrians, people with reduced mobility or strollers. Another very important point, these temporary places will have to close at 10 p.m. to respect the tranquility of residents (note: establishments that already have terraces and permits in the evening keep the same hours) . We must also pay attention to cleanliness (Editor's note: outdoor spaces) , discarded butts, noise pollution, not to use disposable plastic cups or electrical installation, to display the charter and to commit to everything stop by September 30 at the latest. And if it's pretty, it will be even better!

“It pays me” newsletter

The newsletter that improves your purchasing power

I'm registering

Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to allow you to receive our news and commercial offers. Find out more

How can the owners of bistros or restaurants make this request?

From Monday, we will set up a purely declarative system on paris.fr. All you need to do is register, download and post the charter. It does not require prior authorization. Everything relies on everyone's trust and responsibility.

Doesn't that risk causing conflicts, however?

There will be a control service. And if bars or restaurants do not play the game, do not respect the neighborhood, mediation will take place with the borough mayor and the City. And if necessary we can go as far as verbalization and withdrawal of the possibility of using the temporary terraces. But we start from a principle of trust. It is very important to take these measures, because many places, I am unfortunately convinced, will not be able to reopen because of the crisis.

You also talk about closing entire streets ...

We have already listed around twenty possibilities throughout Paris. Place des Vosges, around the Carreau du temple, Place Sainte-Marthe in the 10th arrondissement, rue Lepic in the 18th century, or around the Ourcq canal.

To allow bars and restaurants to expand…

Yes, we do have projects that chefs like Hélène Darroze, rue des Jeuneurs (IIe), or Alain Ducasse, and many other restaurateurs have proposed to us. We are also waiting for ideas and proposals from residents.

What is a Parisian bistro for you?

It is above all a place of proximity. A warm place to meet friends, meet over coffee in the morning between parents of students. A place of life. For me a bistro is the smell of coffee and a hot croissant. It's a bit like the Proust madeleine of Parisians. Parisians who want to find the bars and restaurants in their neighborhoods and simply find themselves. It is important in the period that we are going through.

Was it the mayor or the candidate who made these decisions?

It is the mayor of Paris with the group presidents and elected officials of the Paris Council, of course associating all the district mayors who have their say. It was my responsibility not to wait until June 28 to act. There are a lot of jobs to be had.

And Cédric Villani? Is it getting closer to you?

We chat with Cédric Villani whom I like. The rest, we'll see. Be patient.

Are cycling coronapists intended to last?

There was a real consensus on the need to find an alternative, not only to cars, but also, at least temporarily, to public transport. We are going through a global health crisis where the fight against pollution is becoming a major necessity and where we must avoid groupings such as in the metro during rush hour. I do not want to go back, a new model is required.

Cleanliness makes you moan. Anything else to improve the situation?

In a dense city like Paris, cleanliness is a crucial issue. If I am re-elected, we will devote a billion euros per year to the cleanliness and maintenance of our streets, our squares and our gardens. It will also be necessary to adapt the schedules of the cleaning teams to the rhythm of the City: in the morning in front of the schools during the week, in the evening in the festive districts and the tourist places, and also on the weekend in the shopping districts, the nights of been on the banks and cooler areas. But it is also necessary to raise awareness among Parisians, in particular our children, to develop civic-mindedness. We must pay attention to our city and respect it. And bars and restaurants should also help out.

The 10 points of the commitment charter for the extension of the terraces of bars and restaurants

"1. I undertake to comply with the deconfinement protocol and the code of good health conduct, in the context of the fight against the spread of Covid-19.

2. I agree to respect safety requirements, first and foremost access for firefighters and emergency vehicles. The protection of customers and passers-by is my exclusive responsibility, the responsibility of the City of Paris cannot be sought in the event of an accident.

3. I agree to respect the conditions of accessibility and movement of pedestrians, in particular people with reduced mobility, people with visual impairments or people with strollers.

4. I agree to use the temporary terraces up to 22 hours maximum. If a right-of-way is offset from the commercial facade, I agree to respect the tranquility and activity of my neighbors.

5. I agree to keep the outdoor spaces clean in all circumstances and at all hours of their operation, by ensuring total cleaning and ensuring the cleanliness of the public space, particularly with regard to cigarette butts, in a 25 m perimeter around my establishment.

6. I undertake to limit the noise nuisance caused by my activity, for the peace of the residents; no musical diffusion will be carried out outside.

7. I agree to use light and aesthetic furniture and not to use disposable tableware and plastic cups.

8. I agree not to install any advertising, heating, air conditioning, misting device or any other electrical installation.

9. I agree to display this charter on the window of my establishment.

10. I agree after September 30 inclusive to free up the spaces and restore them to their original condition.

Compliance with these commitments will be monitored by agents of the City of Paris who will be able to proceed with the request for removal from the temporary terrace, to verbalize the non-compliance with the commitments and possibly to initiate criminal proceedings. I then pledge to free up the spaces and restore them to their original condition. "

Source: leparis

All business articles on 2020-05-31

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.