It was a tradition in Geldrop. For almost fifty years, the Mei’se Mert was held on the last Sunday of May, an event that attracted between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors annually. However, bleating shopkeepers and catering entrepreneurs have made the organization decide to stop.
Hein van Lieshout, board member of the organizing foundation, sounds dejected when he says: “We have ignored the nagging for years, because we did not want this wonderful event to be lost for Geldrop-Mierlo. But our irritation limit has been reached. It is simply no work with part of the center shopkeepers and the catering entrepreneurs.”
And it’s not really about anything at all, says Van Lieshout. “Adult entrepreneurs who think an annual contribution of 65 euros is too much! Who claim with dry eyes that they cannot pay more than half or who refuse to participate at all. Then just open their shop during the Mert. Or cafes that say, “Why should we pay? Our terraces are full!”
“We have never had any problems with the exhibitors.”
The Mei’se Mert Ever Foundation was founded at the request of the shopkeepers and catering entrepreneurs in the center of the village. They wanted more excitement in the village and were looking for an event that would attract people to the center. From a modest event, the Mei’se Mert has grown into a fair with hundreds of exhibitors, live music and entertainment for young and old.
“We have never had any problems with the exhibitors,” emphasizes Van Lieshout. “They pay their contribution properly and are very satisfied. However, we are sick and tired of the discussions with retailers and the catering industry. It feels like ‘bagging’ and I just don’t feel like it anymore. We have never asked for or received a cent of subsidy, but every year a wonderful event is organized.”
“It is unbelievable that such a small amount is being whined about.”
In the early years, the entrepreneurs paid 125 guilders (57 euros) and that contribution has barely increased since then. Van Lieshout: “In my opinion, it is unbelievable that people are complaining about such a small amount. Especially when you consider that the additional proceeds from the Mei’se Mert go to charities in its entirety. So to cultural and social institutions in the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo.
According to him, the fact that the organization pulls the plug is certainly not due to the volunteers. “We organized the event with a three-person board, but on the day itself we had a lot of help. Think of traffic controllers and people behind the information desk. Everything on a voluntary basis.”
Van Lieshout does not want to say anything about a possible restart. “That is now up to others. I heard that a working group had been set up to support us, but that was not the problem at all. The unwillingness and opposition of a group of entrepreneurs in the center has made the organization of the Mei’se Mert the neck turned around. Very unfortunate.”