Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The city extended its temporary rule on using more space for cafés and restaurants with terraces until December 31, 2025. State Secretary Ans Persoons says clarification is necessary to prevent confusion in the hospitality sector.
The outgoing Brussels government has decided to extend the temporary corona terrace rule until December 31, 2025. This decision came from State Secretary for Urban Planning Ans Persoons. He mentioned that the extension allows cafés and restaurants to keep using more space for their terraces. This rule was first made during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the industry.
Persoons is happy about the extension but stressed the need for clear rules for hospitality terraces in Brussels. She said,
“It is up to the next Brussels government to ensure that there are clear guidelines for the catering industry. The city belongs to everyone and that is precisely why clear rules are needed. This way, everyone gets enough space.”
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According to Ans Persoons, the temporary measure has helped restaurants and cafés a lot. These rules should help both businesses and residents. He mentioned that clear guidelines will give business owners more stability and ensure fair use of public spaces.
Persoons said,
“With the first Sun, we start looking forward to terrace weather again.”
Matthieu Léonard, the president of the Brussels Horeca Federation, is happy about the extension. He said,
“The State Secretary has done what was necessary,”
Léonard also said there should be a permanent solution, stating,
“Now the arrangement must be made permanent.”
He mentioned that the industry wants clear rules to keep the café and restaurant culture in Brussels strong.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brussels State Secretary for Urbanism Pascal Smet enacted a regulation allowing restaurants and cafes to use parking spaces for outdoor seating. This initiative aimed to support the hospitality sector amidst ongoing public health restrictions.
The regulations were to be ended by the end of 2022, though it has become effective so this was extended to September 2024. He mentioned that this helped the struggling hospitality sector by giving them more space to serve customers while following social distancing.
According to officials, at first, the new Brussels government was expected to set clear rules about the expanded terraces. However, forming the new government has taken a long time due to delays and political disagreements. Because of this, the current government, led by State Secretary Ans Persoons, has decided to extend the measure again until the end of 2025.
Persoons says.
“Normally, it was up to the new government to formulate clear guidelines, but since it is taking a bit longer, the measure is being extended.”
