Londerzeel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Londerzeel will tax temporary bars like Zanzibar (€8,000) to ensure fair competition. Mayor Sminate and Alderman Gerda Verhulst highlight benefits for the local economy, students, and vendors.
As VRT News reported, Londerzeel, in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, will continue taxing temporary hospitality businesses, including pop-up cafes and summer bars, to create fair competition in the local hospitality sector.
Permanent cafes and restaurants pay more taxes, and temporary venues, which exist only for a shorter term or seasonal events, pay less taxes. This has sparked complaints from permanent cafe owners, citing that pop-ups inherently have an unfair financial advantage.
Mayor Sminate pointed to the pop-up Zanzibar, running in Londerzeel this summer, as an example. He said that without the tax, temporary businesses could operate at lower costs. The regulation is designed to ensure all hospitality businesses compete fairly.
What impact will Londerzeel’s €8K tax on temporary bars have?
The tax faced criticism from local political parties LWD and Team De Borger. They filed a complaint with the governor, questioning its fairness and legality. After a detailed review, the governor confirmed the tax is lawful and properly implemented.
Officials say the measure will create fair competition between permanent and temporary businesses and ensure all operators pay their fair share of local taxes. By enforcing the tax, the municipality hopes to reduce tensions between business owners and support a fair market for both seasonal pop-ups and established cafes.
The mayor said,
“These kinds of initiatives can have a significant impact on the local economy. The proceeds are substantial, and the pop-up bar operators are very supportive.”
The Zanzibar pop-up bar in Londerzeel will pay €8,000 in taxes this summer. The amount is set based on the size of the bar and the length of time it will be open. Alderman for Local Economy Gerda Verhulst (N-VA) said,
“The money will flow back into the local economy”.
She added that the tax ensures the pop-up contributes fairly to the municipality while supporting local projects and services.
The municipality has also made additional arrangements to boost local business. All drinks and catering orders for Zanzibar will come from vendors in Londerzeel. Around 150 student workers will be employed at the bar, with priority given to local students.
Local vendors will also have the chance to advertise on the bar’s LED billboards. Alderman Verhulst said these measures are designed to strengthen the local economy and create opportunities for both students and businesses in the municipality while ensuring the pop-up benefits the community.
In Ghent, the city introduced temporary event taxes for seasonal food trucks and pop-up bars to ensure fair competition with permanent restaurants. The implementation of these taxes occurred in 2025. During the Gentse Feesten, held from July 18 to July 27, 2025.
These measures aimed to balance the market, generate additional local revenue, and encourage the use of local suppliers and staff. Like Londerzeel, Ghent focused on creating opportunities for students and small businesses while ensuring temporary venues contribute fairly to municipal services.
