- Since the opening of the Gare du Sud in May 2019, restaurateurs denounce technical problems and too high rents exercised by the landlord Urban Renaissance
- The operator points to a disgruntled minority
- Since Tuesday, these restaurateurs have decided not to reopen their kiosk
In the alleys of the Halle Gourmande, few people on this particularly rainy Thursday in June in Nice. The rather calm atmosphere contrasts with the intense tension that exists between certain restaurateurs and the lessor of the Gare du Sud, Urban Renaissance.
If after two months of confinement, bars and restaurants hasten to reopen their doors, everywhere in France since Tuesday at the Gare du Sud in Nice, some kiosks remain closed. They are on strike against the operator of the premises.
These traders denounce technical problems, a lack of communication but also high rents which were not suspended during the confinement period. "It is the drop of water that makes the vase overflow," exclaims Jean-Laurent Comparetto, who has a wine cellar in the Halle Gourmande.
Information confirmed by Jocelyn Berthier, director general of Urban Renaissance who explains that he canceled the rents during the administrative closure "except for those with whom we are in litigation". For the past few months, a dozen or so brands have been in litigation with the lessor.
Disputes from the opening of the Gare du Sud in May 2019
According to the strikers, it is the accumulation of problems that explains their mobilization."We were sold a Ferrari and we forgot to tell us that there was no engine inside", explains the president of the association of traders of the Gare du Sud, Jean-Laurent Comparetto, which evokes the "promise of an aborted lounge bar, a problem of air conditioning in summer and heating in winter, the privatization of terraces and a lack of communication". "We only speak to the city of Nice or to lawyers," he adds.
Last summer, record temperatures approaching "50 ° in kiosks", according to Julie from the couscous bar at the Gare du Sud, and strong heat in the aisles had caused discomfort for employees and customers. Problems taken into consideration for the director general of Urban Renaissance who announces that he has reinvested "800,000 euros for air conditioning".
According to him, this movement of "five people out of more than 30 operators" is an excuse not to pay the rent, which is why they are in administrative procedure. "Most of these traders have not paid for about a year," says Norbert Petit of Urban Renaissance. "We asked that our rent be placed in receivership," said Jean-Laurent Comparetto. The latter mentions too high rents: “They are not up to their service. It is 4,300 euros excluding tax per month for my fourteen m2, ” declares the wine merchant.
"The Eiffel Tower of Nice"
And these discontented restaurateurs do not intend to reinvest the premises anytime soon. “We are reaching a point of saturation. There are merchants who can't take it any more, ”says the president of the station merchants association.
“The situation is heartbreaking because the place is magical. It is the Eiffel Tower of Nice but the commercial vision is very complicated, "he continues. To resume their activity, these restaurateurs request "the cancellation of rents during the confinement period, the revision of rents during recovery and a dialogue with the lessor", lists Julie, from the couscous bar and member of the association.
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- Economy
- Nice
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- Restoration
- Strike