Beachtenter Arthur Dontje is the alarm bell. Last winter his restaurant Prince George almost washed away during a fierce autumn storm. The governments have tried to strengthen the beach of Camperduin, but that result leaves something to be desired. “We are absolutely not ready for the fall. That will be a big disaster,” says Dontje.
Strandpaviljoen Prince George is a modern restaurant, overlooking the vast North Sea. Arthur Dontje invested 6.5 million euros about three years ago together with his business partner Herman to turn the beach tent into a draw. But that dream now seems to be on loose screws.
Two to three meters of sand disappeared
Governments advised the entrepreneurs to place the business a little further inland, because of the dynamic flood line running through the area. Afterwards, question marks can be placed with this advice.
During a tough storm last winter, the water fell against the Camperduinse dunes and took it two to three meters of sand, so that Prince George is now in trouble. “We wanted more towards the dunes then,” says owner Arthur Dontje.
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But according to Dontje, that was not allowed by the governments. After the acute problems last winter, he was informed that sand would be sprayed to strengthen the coastline. “A little more sand has been added, but this is not going to be fine towards the fall,” says Dontje.
Important place for Camperduin
He has not heard anything from the authorities since the winter, but there will have to be action. Dontje sees four possible options for the future of Prince George. “Moving to the dunes, a bridge from the entrance from the beach to the building, moving to a safer location or being bought out.”
The last thing Dontje wants is to have to close the pavilion, three years after opening. “We have to find a solution for this. This place is too important, not only for me, but also for the community and the tourists. What else do you have here? A restaurant must stay here.”
‘Coming to a good solution together’
Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier (HHNK) responds that the beach was sprayed with extra sand in April and that there are conversations with the ministry about future maintenance. “The water board is not responsible for looking for a best place to do business on the beach. Of course we are willing to think along with solutions and we are in close contact with Prince George. We are doing our best to come to a good solution together.”