The “non-essential” traders in Douai (North) can take a break.
Closed since the reconfinement of October 30, they will indeed see their rents taken care of by the agglomeration, whatever the amounts.
While the government is currently planning to cover 30% of rents in tax credits, the Douais agglomeration has therefore taken the initiative by going further: all monthly payments will be reimbursed for each merchant affected by an administrative closure. , as long as this reconfinement will last.
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"
When we look at State aid today, there is certainly partial unemployment, deferral of charges or aid up to 10,000 euros per month depending on turnover,"
explains Christian Poiret, the president of Douasis agglo.
But there is a hole in the rack when it comes to rents.
Indeed the tax credits for the lessors who agree to drop their monthly payments are 30%, which is not enough.
We therefore decided to take charge of all the rents of all the traders who are affected by the administrative closure, even those who do 'click and collect'.
“For Christian Poiret, this decision came as obvious.
“
For years we have been making plans to revitalize city centers, and today we are going to let our businesses die,
” he says.
It is not tomorrow that we must put money to bring them back, it is today that we must save and maintain them. "
Healthy finances
The agglomeration can count on its budget of 10 million euros monthly, "
healthy finances and good reserves
", to finance the 300 to 500,000 euros monthly that the reform will cost.
In two days since the announcement of the device to traders, it has already received 130 files with an average rent of 1300 euros.
In addition to this aid, Douaisis agglo also offers, as during the first confinement, a zero-interest loan of 5,000 euros repayable for four years from November 2021.
"
I have 1100 euros in rent to pay, I had a little cash, but without this help and if we cannot reopen for the holidays, it would have been the death of my hairdressing salon
," explains Marine Malecki, the manager of Univ'Hair, a salon in Arleux, near Douai.
The end of the year is the biggest period for us whereas in January and February it is very calm.
Wherever I can find funding, I will knock on doors! ”
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In her bookstore Demain at dawn in the center of Douai, Caroline Delautre said nothing else.
If the confinement allows him all the same to prepare his Christmas wreaths, it remains very detrimental for his activity.
“
My rent is 800 euros per month,
” she explains.
Obviously this help will take a thorn out of my foot.
This is good news and we don't have a lot of it right now, at least we feel supported.
Without it, the store would have been in danger by the end of December.
"
