When announcing the closure of Porte 12, her store on rue du Général-Leclerc, Isabelle Ballouard was not kind to the Saint-Brieuc town hall. The manager of the business, which opened four months earlier to succeed Harris Wilson, highlighted in particular a “city center attendance down by around 30% each year, among other things, because the City is eliminating parking” .
“Since covid, pedestrian flows have increased in the city center. Up 13% in 2023 compared to 2022,” replied this Friday, June 28, Nicolas Nguyen, deputy in charge of commerce and entertainment. “It’s picking up again, and even faster than in peripheral areas.” But the elected official also recalls that “shopping is no longer the primary reason that brings people to town. People come for the conviviality and the entertainment. And that’s what then drives the act of purchasing.”
“Porters come to see us”
Speaking of a closure that is “obviously very regrettable”, Nicolas Nguyen recalls that “ready-to-wear, everywhere in France, is in a lasting crisis. It has become a very fragile sector. We see it with Porte 12 and the previous project, Harris Wilson, for which Ms. Ballouard herself recognizes that it was not suitable.”
The municipality assures us that the balance between closures and openings or projects remains positive. But does not wish to give figures. The deputy recalls the installation of locomotives such as “Nature & découvertes or other more independent ones such as Breizh Comics which bring in the flow”. And assures us that “carriers come to see us, particularly in segments where we have shortages. Like second-hand clothing or in the culture sector…”
A “highly appreciated” manager
So many files followed by Antoine Cousseau, the city center manager. At Le Télégramme, Isabelle Ballouard assured: “We never see him.” “Antoine is there to support the traders, to play a facilitator role. But you still have to ask for his help,” defends the deputy. He is very appreciated by many traders. And by the project leaders whom he supports in their efforts and their search for premises.”
And Nicolas Nguyen quotes Hervé Guihard, the mayor of Saint-Brieuc. “He says that his best investment in trade and attractiveness is Antoine Cousseau.”
But he also reminds us that when it comes to commerce, the City cannot do everything. “The most complicated thing, still today, is to involve owners in the process of revitalizing the city center. There is still a strong mismatch between the rent and the condition of the buildings. »
