The Huizers trickled into the town hall one by one in their orange shirts. Half an hour before the council meeting started, they gathered in the council chamber. With their protest they wanted to ensure that The Beach can remain open longer when the Dutch national team plays at night.
No permit
Because the World Cup is being held in the United States this year, matches will also be broadcast at night. For example, the orange team plays the last group match at 1:00 am. If the Dutch team survives the group stage, more night matches may follow.
Operator Ronald Brouwer applied for an exemption from the municipality to stay open longer during World Cup matches, but he received no answer from the municipality. “Time is running out,” he told NH a week before the start of the tournament.
He was told last week by the local police officer that the application had been rejected. It is not clear why. “I think it’s unfair, this is bullying entrepreneurs.”
The municipality writes in a general letter that various factors are taken into account when assessing an exemption application. For example, the municipality looks at the risk of nuisance, police capacity and road safety.
Home in time for orange
Councilor Bert Schaap of the Transparent Huizen party is also disappointed. That is why he asked for clarification from the mayor during the meeting. The issue was actually at the bottom of the agenda, but when the chairman saw the orange crowd, he decided to bring the issue to the fore.
Good news for the Dutch fans, because the practice match between the Netherlands and Algeria started last night at 8.45 am. And of course they didn’t want to miss it.
Mayor Serge Ferraro ultimately did not have good news for the fans present. According to him, catering entrepreneurs can apply for an exemption to stay open longer. Brouwer plans to resubmit that application. “Hopefully it will be granted,” says the manager.