Refreshment bars and taverns of associative origin which do not fully comply with the legal framework are in the crosshairs of the Union of Trades and Hospitality Industry, whose departmental branch held its general assembly in Périgny on Monday evening. “We have nothing against the local football club which runs a refreshment bar, from time to time, with its volunteers,” explains the president, Guillaume Jacques. But a regular event like La Dimancherie, for example, in La Rochelle, which is held on ten or eleven dates in the season, is something else. The drinking establishment then clearly constitutes unfair competition vis-à-vis local cafeterias and restaurateurs. »
This “open air” from La Rochelle, free of charge and focused on music, is supported by the LCH Event association. And the law provides that mayors can authorize a non-profit association to operate a temporary drinking establishment (maximum of 48 hours) up to five times a year if it is limited to alcohol of less than 18°C of the type glass of wine or beer (license III).
Letter to elected officials
Beyond that, “the activity clearly becomes commercial with all that that implies. » And to cite VAT, social charges, taxes… Guillaume Jacques explains that with the rise of taverns five years ago, the phenomenon grew to the point of becoming a problem. “We are not against these initiatives. But everyone’s interests must be preserved. »
Umih 17 announces that it has sent an “alert letter” to the elected officials responsible for granting, or not, temporary beverage outlet authorizations to associations. The union intends to “train them free of charge in the legal framework” to avoid “abuses”.
He explains that when the tourist season resumes, he will be alongside “colleagues who want to take the matter to the administrative court” to challenge an authorization deemed unfounded. After a 2024 season of -15 or -20% in terms of turnover, cafe owners and restaurateurs intend to be vigilant.
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