2023-10-05 06:41:00
Séverine Berger, the manager for 20 years of the establishment located rue Xavier De Bue in Uccle, experienced a moving service the day following the announcement: “there were a lot of people there like for a funeral, one last time. But it’s nice.” The establishment, already in difficulty with the covid crisis, was unable to catch its breath before the crisis in energy and raw materials costs.
“I’ve been exhausted for three years”
“There was the indexation of salaries, our monthly energy payments which increased from 1800 to more than 5000 euros, our lessor ABInBev which turned a deaf ear. He did not respond to any of our messages during the 11 months of covid closure. We had to go to court. Even if the ushers came, I wanted to bow out with dignity. I’ve been at the end of my rope for three years.”
Despite efforts such as closing the 100-seat restaurant two days a week (before it was open 7 days a week) or reducing shifts and costs, the situation remains unmanageable. “We would have liked to renovate the place to give it new impetus but neither the lessor nor the banking institutions wanted to support this project. It’s heartbreaking for the entire team to see what was much more than a workplace close.”
Séverine also accuses the public authorities: “as long as our policies maintain a system where establishments with students survive and others do not, things will not get better. Small entrepreneurs will all die. We might choose to only work with freelancers or students, but they will never replace the work and service for the customer of a full-time professional waiter. The social charges finished us off.”
The local level is not spared. “I have dozens of license plates from customers to whom I pay extra parking so they can stay at their table to finish their dessert. Parking prices are expensive and, once more, you have to find spaces. The recent developments (Alsemberg road) have not done any good for traders. Just look at the number of recent departures and those preparing for Uccle Centre.”
As a last stand, Séverine and the entire Parvis team are staying for a final week of services before closing shop on Sunday at 6 p.m.
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