Every five years, the metropolis, which takes care of the building forming part of the public maritime domain, launches a new call for tenders which escapes the current owners for the first time since 1976. Management must vacate the premises by December 31.
An institution soon to be turned upside down? In a letter dated October 22, the management of the Marseille restaurant L'Épuisette learned that they would have to leave the premises by December 31.
An unpleasant surprise for the managers, at the head of the Vallon des Auffes establishment since 1976. They knew that every five years, the metropolis launched a call for tenders to welcome potential new owners.
These calls for tenders, won for 48 years by the current owners, have escaped them this year. A misunderstanding, when their record would still be as good according to them. “Where did we fish? What did we do? What deserves to be treated like this?” asks Bernard Bonnet, director of the restaurant L’Épuisette, on our antenna.
“We feel disrespected, we are victims of disrespect. For me, at my age, in my situation, and with regard to my teams, it is unbearable,” denounces the latter at the microphone of BFM Marseille Provence.
“If I leave, I leave with my mark under my arm”
For its part, the metropolis, which takes care of the building since it is part of the public maritime domain, justifies its choice. The community ensures that the selected project provides for significant investments and cuisine of as good quality as what we have been eating at L'Épuisette for years.
Didier Réault, vice-president of the metropolis responsible for the sea and the coast, assures that his services looked “very carefully at all the parts and elements supplied which met the criteria of this call for tenders”.
He continues: “We had warned the manager of L'Épuisette of the arrival of this deadline for a good two years now. This competition respects the law and we would be guilty of not doing so.”
The file ultimately chosen is that of another starred chef, Coline Faulquier, finalist of Top Chef in 2016. She wishes to keep the employees, but also the name of the establishment.
A request already rejected by the current team. “If I leave, I leave with my brand under my arm,” says the director of L’Épuisette.
Fabio Marletta, with Alixan Lavorel
