put downtown merchants at the heart of the celebrations

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The coming weeks are crucial for traders many of whom achieve a large part of their turnover for the year on this occasion. If a form of gloom hovers, the mayor of Montpellier Michaël Delafosse et the president of the CCI Hérault André Deljarry opt for optimism and voluntarism. “We are very mobilized to support and support downtown commerce. Our strategy is to create a very beautiful city center,” underlines the councilor who, aware of certain problems, calls for patience.

Beautification work

If the end-of-year celebrations are synonymous with illuminations and entertainment, they do not however mark a break in the work. Symbols of the latter, those of the Charles de Gaulle esplanade and the Place de la Comédie follow their courses. “The municipal team believes in the heart of the city, in the historic center. The bigger the heart of a city, the more beating it is, the stronger it is. We put a lot of energy into this downtown area. First in the beautification work which is difficult: the Comédie, the Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, the Place Max Rouquette…” supports Michaël Delafosse.

Work which, however, does not fail to provoke the exasperation and anger of certain traders. So André Deljarry tempers: “A thousand businesses, two thirds of which are independent, make up the wealth of this city center. We must preserve this setting. We are carrying out real partnership work with the City which has never been so important. The work is difficult but it is beautification. The city was wasting away, it would be better later. It’s moving forward, it takes time for it to pass.”

“things are moving forward”

Faced with the most embittered, Michaël Delafosse recalls: “The work phase is never a pleasant phase, I am the first to measure it and to say it, I recognize it, but we must remember what the place of the Comedy in 2019. It was raining, we were slipping… There were blue blocks under long lease… Safety issues were omnipresent. They still are because we have colossal challenges facing drug trafficking but we have worked a lot on this subject. Unaccompanied minors who were wandering in hotels and the streets, thanks to the president of the Department we were able to find an educational solution. We still have common work to do but things are moving forward.”

And to highlight the aesthetic standardization of establishments on the Place de la Comédie, its bench or even the esplanade where, once completed, the Bosc kiosk will host concerts as part of the Radio France festival… “What is important it is that the city center is an experience: a pleasant walk and a catchment area with traders who are involved, want to introduce products and carry values. Our role is to support this as best as possible” defends the mayor of Montpellier.

Settlements

Trade delegate, Alban Zanchiello highlights “cooperative work, whatever our actions, almost on a daily basis, with the CCI, the Plein Center committee, the various associations and the Chamber of Trades”. If some paint a poor portrait of the city center, the latter argues for its attractiveness with proof of the revival of Capoulié and the arrival of the Danish brand Søstrene Grene. “A lot of people were asking for it. In our strategy, which follows the CCI white paper, we believed that two things were needed: differentiation and excellence. We will therefore try to look for brands that satisfy the people who come to the city center.” The elected official also specifies that he does not want to neglect the daily needs of the inhabitants of the Écusson.

However, due to national decisions or local reasons, some businesses have lowered the curtain in recent months. However, Michaël Delafosse underlines: “We have one of the lowest commercial vacancy rates in France with 6%. We pay attention to the quality and what type of businesses. We are being approached today by brands who have clearly identified the dynamics of Montpellier.” Like the Atelier Tuffery on the Boulevard du Jeu de Paume, the councilor is delighted: “I feel a mobilization of all the stakeholders. When new traders set up shop, they all tell us that they are taking a gamble and that they feel that things are happening in Montpellier.” The movement away from the city center even seems to be reversing. “Many businesses outside are asking to come back inside,” says André Deljarry.

Good attendance

If the works and complicated accessibility by car remain negative points for many, elected officials weigh up free public transport, the policy in favor of bicycles or even the parking voucher distributed by traders without forgetting the commitments made in security matters. So what about traffic in the city center? “We are going to forget the figures from 2019, the world has changed. All we're doing is trying to catch up on market share. Today we are experiencing growth in visitors, there is no decline. In six months we will have reliable statistics of all the people that free transport has made it possible to bring to the city center” explains Alban Zanchiello.

Without giving figures, Michaël Delafosse relies on MyTraffic studies. “They say that rue de la Loge is one of the busiest streets in France. Anyone who walks in the city center has the impression that there are people there. From this point of view, I am rather confident. Attendance in the city center is encouraging.” Another sign that pleases the mayor of Montpellier is the tourism dynamic, for which he reveals the figures for 2023: “One billion turnover with 5.2 million overnight stays. The Palais des Congrès is full for the next 24 months and we have to be better. When we host the USH Congress, some people were not aware even though they have responsibilities in hospitality.” And, great satisfaction with more than 90,000 visitors and 140 events between July and October thus contributing to the attendance of the city center, Panorama, the rooftop on the roof of the Corum, could be renewed next summer.

End of year celebrations

The seasonal concern remains the end-of-year holidays, crucial weeks for traders as André Deljarry points out. “More than a quarter of their turnover is made during this period. It’s a moment that should not be missed,” says the president of the CCI Hérault. The consular chamber therefore pulled out all the stops with around twenty strolls and activities from December 4 to 22 every Wednesday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the city center. Or the decorations and installations of merchant associations like on Boulevard du Jeu de Paume. To this must be added the Christmas market, from November 23 to December 24, and the illuminations, launched Tuesday evening, set up by the City. Finally, a giant #NoëlàMontpellier structure will be positioned in different locations and will be subject to a photo competition on social networks with numerous prizes to be won.

By targeting the 900,000 inhabitants of the Greater Montpellier living area, André Deljarry does not lack ambition for the city center of Montpellier. “We must offer them an experience that meets the challenge for retailers. More than ever we want to make young and old alike dream during these festive moments. The period is difficult but we must have this period of truce which allows us to dream a little.” And send out a message: “Our stated objective with the Municipality is to bring families to the city center thanks to our varied programming and to encourage as many people as possible to shop there in the Écusson. More than ever for these holidays, head to the city center! “. And this Saturday with the opening of the Christmas market.

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