Breda has had a great carnival without really major, noteworthy incidents. But that could have turned out differently, according to the local catering industry. According to them, it was much too busy on Friday and Saturday, resulting in dangerous situations. In a letter, the industry now asks mayor Depla to look with them at a safer carnival in the future.
Those who celebrated carnival on Friday or Saturday in the city center know exactly what the Breda catering industry is referring to. It was busy, way too busy. The driving crowd caused awkward situations with frightened faces at some points. There was also fear among the pub owners who saw it, because it often went just right. “It was just too dangerous at times,” the letter to mayor Depla states.
Coin cages and food stalls
The urgent letter from the Breda department of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland mentions a number of wrong choices by various parties. For example, major question marks are being raised about the locations of the points of sale for the coins. In some places, these cages were even in the middle of the ‘dance floor’, resulting in less space and dangerous situations. For example, people climbed on the coin pens.
The enormous food stalls on the Grote Markt, which are part of the revenue model of the Kielegat foundation, also stood in the way and took up too much space. Much needed space where more carnival celebrants could have stood. Set up one or two large food courts there could be a solution for this elsewhere.
Sound plan and more for the youth
Another point that emerges in the letter is the music policy. “The sound is too loud and is often mixed up too much, which creates a kind of ‘error’ in the heads of the visitors,” you can read. According to the catering industry, guidance is needed and a good noise plan can offer a solution.
The catering industry would also like to look at a better plan for the youth during carnival with the municipality. The age group of 14 to 17 years now falls between two stools. They should get a better, permanent place in Breda.
Better spread
It is remarkable that the Breda catering industry does not mention the large number of partygoers from the Randstad that are brought to Breda by the NS with extra trains. It creates enormous crowds and is a thorn in the flesh for many residents of Breda.
But the hospitality industry likes to say that it will remain the hospitable carnival city that Breda is. People especially want to talk to the municipality and the Kielegat foundation to look for space. The city is large enough for the number of visitors, but a better spread is necessary.
The catering industry also compliments the municipality of Breda. Communication and accessibility were excellent during carnival and the municipality intervened well after the overcrowded Friday on Saturday by partially closing the city center to revelers.