In Toulouse, provided they are warmed up, the deconfinement of the terraces will last all fall and even all winter. The town hall announces that the bars and restaurants that wish will be able to continue to encroach on the public domain until the end of March 2022. These XXL terraces, improperly called “Covid terraces” and operated by more than 500 professionals, had been granted during successive deconfinements. Doubt persisted as to their fate after the September 30 deadline. It has just been lifted by the mayor
Jean-Luc Moudenc (LR).
“This decision, taken in consultation with residents and representatives of catering professionals, aims to support and help them when they have been particularly affected by the health crisis,” said the press release from the Capitol. “It was not won and we are delighted”, reacts Olivier Bouscatel, president of the National Group of Independents 31 (GNI 31), which highlights the “attraction” of these extensions and, in certain sectors, “a presence ”which contributes“ to security ”by hampering traffic. He also believes that the cafeterias and restaurateurs have “played the game”. Only four have seen their terrace closed since the spring for non-compliance with the rules. They will not be able to request an extension again.
More expensive, maybe cooler
And if partiers or gourmets will also raise their glass to this announcement, others are more reserved. “We had imagined decisions on a case-by-case basis and, say, until the end of October for the Indian summer period”, explains Richard Mebaoudj, president of the 60 million pedestrian association 31. He has “nothing against cafes ”but does not have the impression of having been specially concerted and worried about the emergence of temporary furniture“ type transparent walls ”on the sidewalks. “In the suburbs some of these terraces do not bother at all, but in the city center it’s different,” he said.
It is undoubtedly to allay the fears of local residents that this extension is not totally “freestyle”. Until now, XXL terraces were exempt from paying the public domain occupancy fee. From September 30, professionals will have to pay 30% more than the current rate for the thousand classic terraces. In addition, there is still some doubt about the installation of auxiliary heaters on the extensions. It was prohibited in previous municipal decrees. The new one must be signed this Monday.