It will be exciting to see whether a beloved spot on the outskirts of Haarlem will be preserved. Long permit procedures, higher construction costs and the enormously increased interest rates are hampering the ambitions of the sustainable catering entrepreneurs of Het Veerkwartier. Unless visitors to this alternative recreational spot step up. “People like an unhyped concept, but we do need the help of the crowd.”
Merel Janssen and Dionne van der Linde are not feeling well right now. The old building of Het Veerkwartier is leaking, it is not well insulated and is therefore in urgent need of replacement. They have been running this temporary pavilion with two other partners for the past eight years. It is a collection of an old greenhouse, second-hand shipping containers and an outdoor tent at the Veerplas on the outskirts of Haarlem. The building is finished. “You can’t even go to the toilet dry here anymore,” is a frequently used statement from Merel in recent years.
A few weeks ago the last snacks and drinks were served and DJ Frank played his records one last time. The Veerkwartier may be converted into a permanent pavilion. The permits have finally been finalized. And so the stove is turned off and the items are sold, with or without a donation. Every dime is desperately needed, as Merel and Dionne explain at the only table left.
Amphitheatre
The permit for the construction of sustainable accommodation and a real amphitheater on the site took much longer than usual. While the municipality always completes the procedure within six months of the application, only after a year was the question again whether the construction of the amphitheater had too much impact on the flora and fauna. One time-consuming and expensive investigation later, the world suddenly looked completely different.
“We were ready with the construction team in January 2022 and had completed the financing of 1.8 million euros with our own money and with the bank. Now the construction costs are higher and the interest has risen enormously.” Merel Janssen tries to swallow the bitterness and disappointment. Because above all, a solution is needed. They need at least four thousand extra euros and they are now trying to borrow or get that from their regular guests and fans.
Interest
“We do this via the ‘Crowd About Now’ platform, where as an entrepreneur you try to realize something together with society. There must be a connection with the people, it must be supported.” Merel explains that a lower interest rate is then charged than at the bank. There is a lot of enthusiasm for crowd lending. In two weeks, Haarlem residents have already deposited almost two tons.
Gift, dinner voucher, private or business loan?
Financing the construction of the Het Veerkwartier pavilion by the ‘crowd’ can be done in various ways:
- a donation can provide you with a picnic basket or a dining pass for when construction of the pavilion is completed. You pay for your dinner or lunch in advance, as it were.
- a loan of more than a thousand euros yields an interest of 4 percent every year and is paid back after five years. And after construction you will receive a birdhouse in your name on the Wall of Birds.
- There are investment packages for companies from the neighboring Waarderpolder with loans above 10,000 euros. The companies will then receive name mention and may participate in inspiration sessions for sustainability and networking drinks, for example.
“We really need the ‘crowd’, otherwise the party will not go ahead and Het Veerkwartier will stop”
25 euros from 9-year-old Noa
The ladies are surprised by the enormous amount that has been raised so quickly. The amounts range from a few tens of thousands to tens of thousands. “We received a very sweet gift of 25 euros from 9-year-old Noa, because she loves coming here so much,” says Dionne. A total of 69 investors have now invested 190,000 euros, which is an average of almost 3,000 euros. “That’s really spicy!”
But that’s not enough. “At least four hundred thousand euros is needed to close the gap. And we must have that by the end of this year at the latest. We really need the ‘crowd’, otherwise the party will not go ahead and Het Veerkwartier will stop.” Merel is unrelenting, although it visibly affects her when she thinks about that option. “That would be very sad.”
The owners of Het Veerkwartier are cautious in their criticism of the municipality. But we would like to emphasize that the planned new residential area next to the Veerplas will benefit from the development they have initiated here. “People will not want to live here because Ikea is nearby, but because we have developed the recreational lake so nicely. And with the amphitheater we will soon be able to offer a lot of culture and there will be a play area for children.”
Begging
The appeal that Merel and Dionne now make to their guests feels double. “We received a response on Facebook that we were begging. I invited that lady for coffee. Because she thought that we made a lot of money from festivals that are held here, for example. But then we are closed. And besides, turnover is not yet profit. “
Still, it bothers Merel’s mind. “It’s difficult to ask for money. But some people say I should shout it from the rooftops. Because there is a need for a place that is not completely hyped. There is a lot of love for this place that we have put our heart and soul into.” built up.”
Dionne quickly calculates that only 200 people are needed to borrow 1,000 euros. “That should be possible, but it is exciting, because in a month we really have to know where we stand.” And yes, there is of course a risk in borrowing money. “If we go bankrupt, we cannot pay back. But we also financed the temporary Veerkwartier with crowdfunding. We paid off the 125,000 euros with interest and on time,” says Merel.
Blue eyes
Anyone who wants to believe her blue eyes can visit the now dilapidated Veerkwartier on Saturday afternoon. Then the heaters are turned on and Merel, Frank, Dionne and Michelle explain how it works. The construction plans can also be viewed, which will hopefully be implemented from March 1, 2024.
“One donor kindly asked us if we would like to ensure that she can come in here with her wheelchair because she loves coming here so much. And of course we will do that.” Merel Janssen will keep a close eye on the counter on the crowdfunding page over the next forty days. “It would be a shame if we lose this and a commercial catering pavilion comes here.”
Look here at the farewell party in the ‘hut-muttje’ pavilion of Het Veerkwartier a few weeks ago.
Farewell to the Veerkwartier – NH News / Geja Sikma
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