A quality mark for catering establishments that serve healthy snacks and drinks. The Christian Union threw the ball around during the discussion of Emmen’s catering bill. As far as the Christian party is concerned, the local catering offer could be a bit more diverse. In addition to a beer, a fruit smoothie could also appear more often on the Emmer menus.
Other parties believed that you should not enforce. Don’t patronize and certainly don’t sit in the entrepreneur’s shoes. During the discussion about the catering memorandum, the conversation mainly revolved around personal direction versus subtle guidance.
In this light, Henk Huttinga of the Christian Union argued that the catering offer in Emmen could be a bit more diverse. And then the range of healthy food in particular should get an extra boost, as far as he is concerned. Monique Kuipers-Hekhuis feared patronizing the catering sector. “We shouldn’t enforce anything,” she responded. “Because should we decide that?”
Patrick de Jonge (VVD) believes that the market in particular should decide everything for itself. Coercion was the last thing on Huttinga’s mind. “But we can encourage it. I also like a beer and a bitterbal. But I don’t go home with a drunk head and a belly full of fat. There should be more room for healthy alternatives.”
Excessive regulation was also feared in the announced investigation into early closing and serving times for grill rooms and shawarma shops. The council believes this will prevent nuisance. These businesses also sell alcohol and are open until the early hours.
And that sometimes causes noise on the street, resulting in annoyance. Councilor Guido Rink therefore wants to see whether opening hours should be restricted.
Kuipers-Hekhuis also questions possible restrictions here. “These companies mainly earn money during the night hours. De Jonge pointed out that the nuisance can also be caused by café visitors wandering through the streets. Both parties are mainly in favor of the entrepreneurs themselves determining their own course. certainly not to the municipality. “Shoemaker, stick to your last,” said Kuipers-Hekhuis.
Councilor Guido Rink was in favor of a higher range of healthy products. But literally pushing this down people’s throats is not an option for the alderman. “The municipality can advise the catering industry. There may be entrepreneurs who are not aware of all the healthy options.” There may be a role for the municipality. “But we are not going to impose anything. Everyone can guard their own card.”
One means, for example, is a target group study. “Suppose there appears to be a need for a vegan restaurant. We can present this to the market as a service.” It is then up to the same market to pick up that signal. Or not. “It’s all about raising awareness,” says Rink.
The municipality conducts research into the closing and pouring times together with entrepreneurs. “Because they also experience inconvenience.” Rink points to an increase in violent incidents, including in the Hoofdstraat. “Some businesses have stricter supervision and there are even doormen at the door.” The investigation will start as soon as the catering bill has been definitively approved by the municipal council. That will happen later this year.