The Future of La Guinguette: A Hilarious Yet Serious Take on Local Community Planning
Ah, La Guinguette! The place where everyone gathers to sip wine and pretend not to notice that the guy two tables over is definitely not enjoying that awkward first date. You know the spot, right? Well, in the realm of local governance, they just had a town hall meeting—because nothing says “fun evening out” like discussing parking regulations and menu options!
What’s Cooking in Lambersart?
So, the good folks of Lambersart gathered under the watchful eye of Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Magdelaine on that fateful night of October 10. The city, recently freed from its partnership with Paul Média—the company that ran the Guinguette, not your uncle who insists on running the family barbecue—decided it was high time to consult the citizens. Let’s face it, if you’re going to be feet-deep in chit-chat about the future of your beloved gathering spot, why not get the opinion of your fellow wine aficionados?
A Peaceful Debate… Really?
You might expect such gatherings to erupt into chaos akin to a scene from a sitcom, but it seems the residents kept their tempers in check (for the most part). And while some debates might turn fiery over a suggestion that somebody wants to build a second Guinguette, here, the talks were surprisingly calm. They even managed to squeeze in some smiles between discussions about opening hours and the size of the bicycle garage—“too small,” noted one resident. Clearly, we need to make bike parking as luxurious as the seating!
“La Guinguette is an ideal place to meet people from different generations.”
Ah yes! Nothing like enjoying a lovely glass of vin rouge while sharing a laugh with someone old enough to be your grandparent! But everyone wants it to remain friendly and family-oriented. The request for “cheaper and more classic catering”—enter the chips shop—would make any British expat shed a tear of joy. Who doesn’t love a good, greasy chip? And hey, you can’t chat with your friends on an empty stomach, right?
Where Will La Guinguette Go?
Now, here’s the kicker: some residents suggested moving it towards the Colysée for “better respect for local residents.” Classic! Because what’s lingering in the minds of people if not where they can get their crisps while bothering the neighbours the least?
As it stands, the future contours of La Guinguette are forming like a well-cooked soufflé—light and airy, yet dangerously close to collapsing if you’re not careful. The elected officials are now left to summarize these amusing yet heartfelt discussions before they embark on the call for tenders. Will we see a new era of local entertainment? Or will it be business as usual with the same old eclectic mix of musical acts and slightly dodgy kebabs?
Getting Ready for Spring 2025
We’ve got a bit of a wait until 2025, friends! But let’s keep our hopes high for a Guinguette bursting with joy and laughter, where talk of parking regulations is overshadowed by laughter and clinking glasses. Until then, let’s all remember that in the task of planning a communal gathering spot, it’s just like finding the right way to tell your mates you’ve decided to run a marathon. “We’ll all support you, just not literally, while we’re snacking at your Guinguette!”
Final Thoughts
In the grand tapestry of local governance, sometimes it’s about more than just the future of a dining venue; it’s about building community, fostering conversation, and yes, sometimes it’s about how many chips one can consume while nodding politely to a neighbor’s suggestions on bicycle parking. So, here’s to the future of La Guinguette—may it be as colorful and lively as the discussions that brought us here!
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The 2021 agreement which linked the city to Paul Média for the Guinguette des bords de Deûle came to an end this year.
The opportunity to organize a broad citizen consultation on its future. If it had already been possible to express themselves via the networks or during the Arbor Festival, on Thursday October 10 at the town hall, Lambersart residents responded to the municipality’s invitation to participate in workshops.
In his introduction, Emmanuel Magdelaine, Deputy Mayor, recalled some contextual elements and in particular the operating conditions of the place which are discussed before consulting the companies:
« A group of elected officials will summarize everything that was said and then decide, taking into account as many wishes as possible before organizing the new call for tenders. ».
Thus, during the workshops, everything could be discussed: choice and size of the venue, opening hours, catering options, entertainment, security, etc.
A peaceful debate
This time of discussion could have served as an outlet, but it was not.
Anthology: “ La Guinguette is an ideal place to meet people from different generations », « we must continue to ensure that this place is friendly and family-friendly », « it might be necessary to move it towards the Colysée for better respect for local residents” or even “ if there must be animations, they must be as minimalist as possible ».
If everyone is not on the same wavelength, particularly regarding a possible change of location, or the creation of a second Guinguette, everyone has joined together to ask for cheaper and more classic type catering. chip shop for example and for a quiet Guinguette where you can chat.
Other subjects were discussed such as parking for which “istrict regulations are needed », the size of the bicycle garage, “ too small », without forgetting better signage and PMR (Person with Reduced Mobility) access.
In just under two hours of peaceful debate, the contours of the future of La Guinguette took shape.
before the eyes of the participants.
It’s time for the work of elected officials who are responsible for summarizing the wishes and launching the call for tenders.
La Guinguette welcomes you like every year from spring 2025.
