Waiting couriers in front of the door, the day and night driving of delivery trucks and couriers. The noise nuisance and crowds gave the residents of the Fagelstraat the throats. Bas Smit, who is married to TV presenter Nicolette van Dam, brought the flash delivery person to the Netherlands. The district already took action at the end of last year and summoned the so-called dark store to stop the work because it violates the zoning plan. Zapp filed a lawsuit for this.
However, the judge ruled against the flash grocery delivery service, which operates 24/7. A distribution center in the building is not allowed according to the applicable zoning plan. There is also no retail trade because the store is not accessible to consumers and the quality of life in the neighborhood is under pressure. “This is very good news for residents: the quality of life on their street is being protected,” says alderman Marieke van Doorninck (Spatial Development) in a response.
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Disappointed
At the beginning of this year, the city council approved a proposal from the city council to freeze the establishment of new speed camera delivery services. “This also included the fact that enforcement on existing flash deliverers was intensified,” says a municipal spokesperson. As of April 28 at midnight, Zapp has to close. If the dark store does not comply with the judge’s ruling, the municipality will close the doors and have the locks replaced. “I hope Zapp saw the decision coming,” says Van der Horst. “A flash delivery person doesn’t fit here. In the worst case, Amsterdammers now have to wait a little longer for their shopping, but I think most will get over that.”
A Zapp spokesperson said he was very disappointed. “About the municipality’s approach and the consequences this decision will have for our employees and customers, especially since the municipality forbids us to open alternative locations while we wait for the outcome of the zoning plan revision. In the meantime, we want to continue to work constructively with the municipality on a long-term plan that will support a thriving flash delivery sector in Amsterdam and investment in more local jobs in the future.”
Last Friday, three flash deliverers in De Pijp were also told that they had to close for the same reason. It is not yet clear whether they will also go to court. “We have not yet received an official response,” the spokesman said.
ANP / Harold Versteeg