The prefecture's warning came on October 23. The V and B, cellar and bar near the Allianz Riviera, is in the eye of the storm. The prefectural services list their grievances: sale of alcohol to obviously drunk people, damage, violence against police officers, throwing of smoke bombs and firecrackers by customers, etc.
“These infractions lead me to consider a temporary closure of two months,” writes sub-prefect Benoît Huber. “We had an appointment on October 31,” breathe the two managers, Geoffrey Brachet and Guillaume François. “He was sensitive to our arguments,” they admit. But not completely.
On November 21, the order closing the V and B was signed by Benoît Huber. “Not two months, but fifteen days”, observe the two bosses. Their bar will not be able to reopen until December 9. A significant shortfall for managers, who do not want to enter into a standoff with the authorities, but wish “find a long-term solution”.
In the meantime, they have filed an interim suspension with the administrative court, examined on Friday November 29, 2024. “Even if we win our case, we will have gained a week, that’s all…” sighs François Guillaume, evoking a sword of Damocles above their heads.
“Not responsible”
In support of their “good faith”they have, they swear, put in place measures: no more terrace on match evenings “so that it doesn’t serve as flying furniture”surveillance of the area around the bar to spot smoke bombs, end of takeaway sales three hours before matches.
For them, the problem lies on the esplanade at the foot of Ikea, just behind their bar. “The supporters gather there, drink, throw firecrackers,” they say.
The local residents can't take it anymore. And that sometimes sets off the furniture giant’s fire alarms. “We are not responsible for what happens in this place, we take care of everything we can but we cannot do more,” they plead, hoping for a constructive meeting with state services.
“The facts observed are serious”
“The desire of the managers to partially adapt the operating methods of the establishment was considered”, comments the prefecture.
“It remains that the facts, as observed by the national police personnel present on the site on the evening of September 20, 2024 [dans le cadre du match OGC Nice – Saint-Etienne], are serious and linked to the operating conditions and attendance at the establishment“, she adds.
Facts which, explain the prefectural services, “allow the pronouncement of a closure measure on the basis of the provisions of the public health code. The establishment, in fact, installs in particular an outdoor bar, in order to sell alcoholic drinks from its terrace, this service gives rise to groupings of people, whose disinhibition is favored”concludes the prefecture.
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