The municipality of Haarlem is working on a new policy for catering terraces in the city center. Entrepreneurs and residents have different interests, but hope to find a solution together.
The accessibility of the center for pedestrians and cyclists is very important to the Inner City Haarlem District Council. Chairman Ria Tel: “The cluttering of the outdoor space is a thorn in our side. A good example are the terraces along the Spaarne. They force pedestrians onto the cycle path, while there is also a lot of cycling. cross to serve the terraces on that side. That’s just dangerous.”
Due to the corona crisis, many catering entrepreneurs were temporarily allowed to expand their terraces in order to make up for lost turnover during the lockdowns. The old rules have been in force again since October 1, but the ‘corona terraces’ are still there in many places.
Tel: “We understand very well that the entrepreneurs want to earn money, but even in the winter months the terraces are set up outside. And there really is no one there. The catering entrepreneurs have purchased so much patio furniture that they have to leave it outside. Everywhere of those stacked tables and chairs, it doesn’t look good.”
“You will soon have winners and losers”
Last Monday, officials presented a provisional plan for the terrace policy. The content of this is not yet known, but chairman Gijs Brands of Koninklijke Horeca Nederland Haarlem department is positive about it. “The most important thing is that we will all be satisfied soon. Living and doing business must be in balance.”
Brands also recognizes that not all catering entrepreneurs get their way. “You will soon have winners and losers. In some places it is very narrow and busy. Then a terrace is not a good idea. In other places it is easy. The municipality looks closely at the busiest routes. I understand that, because there are must remain sufficient walking space, so that it is safe for everyone in the city.”
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The district council would prefer to go back to the old rules. Chairman Tel: “The municipality does not enforce those rules. There is no capacity for that, they say. But that is of course not a license for the catering industry to do whatever they want.”
Misuse
The neighborhood council is not only concerned with the terraces, says Tel. “There are too many places in the city where bicycles are parked haphazardly. For example, there are bicycle racks and billboards outside at the Albert Heijn in the Kruisstraat. The meal delivery person across the street also parks all delivery scooters there. Then there is no getting through. I saw two ladies walking with a walker, they really couldn’t pass each other there.”
When it comes to bicycles, the neighborhood council and the entrepreneurs agree with each other. Horecaman Gijs Brands: “Haarlem really needs a new bicycle policy. We have to educate each other again. We are so used to parking the bicycle in front of the pub, the butcher or any shop. There should be more guarded bicycle sheds. And a ‘cycle ring’ around the center would be nice, especially now that more and more fast bikes are being added.”
Hurry up
Mayor Jos Wienen is responsible for the permits for, among other things, the terraces. His spokesperson explains that a plan is being worked on. This is urgent, because the new terrace policy must be in place by April 1 at the latest. According to the spokesman, it is not yet clear when the plans will go to the college and then to the city council.