In Paris, ephemeral displays on the sidewalks for traders

A closed shop in the 15th arrondissement.

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• Shops will be able to welcome their customers again from November 28.

• Parisian traders will have the opportunity to create open-air displays from December 1 to January 3, free of charge, during the “vital” period of the end-of-year celebrations, announces the Paris town hall.

• "All the ideas that can be found and developed now so that traders can make more turnover are good to take", reacts president of the Federation of associations of traders and craftsmen of Paris (FACAP).

Last spring, during the deconfinement, the Paris city hall announced the possibility for restaurants and bars to create ephemeral terraces on places usually reserved for parking vehicles.

Very often in wood, they had then flowered on every street corner to form part of the new landscape of Paris.

Six months later and one more confinement on the counter, it is now time for ephemeral displays to invite themselves into the public space during this winter period.

The day after Emmanuel Macron's intervention, announcing in particular the reopening of so-called non-essential shops this Saturday, the city hall of Paris has indeed decided to allow traders in the capital to invest the sidewalk or parking spaces for free. to sell their merchandise through Christmas stalls.

And this, in this crucial period for their turnover and even when the economic situation is delicate.

But before setting up your installation, there are a few rules to keep in mind.

details the device.

How is this going to work?

In order to promote compliance with health measures of physical distancing and to "support them economically", the city of Paris announces that it is giving the possibility to tens of thousands of traders in the capital to create Christmas stands from December 1 to 3. January during the holiday season.

A completely free device.

As for ephemeral terraces, traders will have to sign and display in return on their window, a charter committing them in particular to ensure compliance with health measures in their establishment, the cleanliness of the public space, the safety of their customers and tranquility. residents.

Professionals not respecting these commitments "will be exposed to sanctions", underlines the town hall.

Why such a measure?

“Due in particular to the new 8 m² gauge, some businesses will not be able to accommodate customers in good conditions.

Anne Hidalgo has therefore decided to put in place this measure to support local businesses that are in difficulty and even though this period is vital.

We know that if they miss this period, they have a hard time getting over it, ”explains to

Olivia Polski, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of trade, crafts, liberal professions and crafts and fashion.

With what facilities?

Each merchant will be able to obtain the right to set up a stand by a simple declaration, accessible on paris.fr.

Therefore, it is up to him to equip himself.

He must be careful not to obstruct traffic on the sidewalk, not stand in front of a door, respect neighboring traders and allow the passage of people with reduced mobility.

Olivia Polski recalls that it must be an installation "made with light furniture and not fixed to the floor" and "without a heating system".

Please note that the stands can only be used during store opening hours.

Who can sell what?

Not all traders will use this device.

But the city already announces it has lifts from those interested and its use should develop over the days.

“Florists are happy, bakers and pastry chefs can use it as an order pick-up point and bookstores and toy stores should also take it.

Some people mention, for example, the place for gift packages, ”explains Olivia Polski.

What do the main stakeholders say?

“It will be case by case.

I am not sure that it can be used for a large majority of businesses, due to various constraints of sidewalks, staff, weather, in particular.

For some it will be easy, for others more complicated.

I can hardly imagine a jeweler selling outside for example.

But it will work well for linens, clothes, toys.

In fact, everything depends on the trade and what it sells ”, reacts Thierry Véron, president of the Federation of associations of traders and craftsmen of Paris (FACAP) which however welcomes the initiative of the town hall.

“Any ideas that can be found and developed right now for traders to make more sales are good to take.

And to display outside is to increase their sales area, so that's a plus.

Now traders need to know that it exists and that they can do it, ”he adds.

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• Covid 19

• Coronavirus

• Economy

• Confinement

• Christmas

• Anne Hidalgo

• Trade

• Paris