The deadline is approaching for private beaches in Menton. As a symbol, the announcement of the sale of all the furniture of one of the leading establishments in the sector has recently caused a stir on social networks. “I can’t figure out why you’re being shut down”, “what a pity, what sadness… Are we going to see you once more?”we read here and there.
Messages of support, even love, which can also be found in the Da Mitchou restaurant’s guestbook. Michèle Leoni, the owner of the place, still leafs through it today. The throat tight by emotion but also by the months spent shouting to change this destiny.
Thursday evening, the beach establishments on the Garavan side will have to lower the curtain in accordance with the renewal of the operating subcontracts of the public service delegation (DSP). A closure which will allow the City to launch the redevelopment work of the Promenade de la mer. A strict application which goes once morest common sense for the establishments of the private beaches of Menton. September is still a month of intense activity for professionals.
Hearing on September 4
According to the Association of bathing establishments and users of the French Riviera (EBARF), the specifications drawn up as part of the renewal of the DSP are not “not suitable nor economically viable.” On these grounds, as well as on the legality of the tendering procedure – which beach attendants believe is not respected – several requests have been filed with the administrative court of Nice. The hearing will be held on September 4. “If the procedure is not broken in court, it will be well and truly over”, believes Michèle Leoni, fatalistic. Especially following the last exchanges with the municipality, which yielded nothing.
“At the town hall, I said everything I thought of the project, she resumes. We are not opposed to the embellishment project in the continuity of Les Sablettes, quite the contrary. What revolts me is that this project is not suited to Menton. Financially, it does not correspond to attendance. Our clientele is family. According to the specifications, it would be necessary to destroy everything and rebuild smaller structures not designed for winter. My restaurant would increase to 40 covered seats, compared to 120 today. It would be necessary to invest 700,000 euros in all. It’s a radical turn, everything I have, I have to put in the trash. For me, it’s not possible and for others, it’s the same. We leave behind all our employees and our suppliers.” Pending the hearing and the decision of the administrative court, Michèle Leoni thinks regarding the rest.
“If the procedure is frozen and the justice establishes an endorsement, we can continue. My whole family works here. We are hardworking and we will always be. If it’s not here, it will be elsewhere. Tomorrow evening, we We’ll have an evening with our customers to say goodbye. We’ll cry together, that’s for sure!”
Yves Juhel [micro en main] mentioned the redevelopment of the seaside promenade. On the DSP, he indicated that he was following the indications of the law as to the date of closure of the establishments.Photo M.R..
“Dialogue has never been refused”
She had been silent for a long time. And for good reason, in a period of competition, the municipality must withdraw by principle of neutrality. “Now that we are in a transitional phase, we have been able to receive beach attendants. They were invited to take stock and go into the technical details of what will happen in September. Dialogue has never been refused. I was just enforcing the law and we are sticking to the dates. »
The law as a compass. It is on this principle that Yves Juhel, Mayor of Menton, relies. The same law which imposes the closure of establishments on the evening of August 31. “It’s not just regarding the DSP for the beaches, it’s the continuity of the first phase of the development of the Esplanade des Sablettes that is concerned. Why now ? Because the concession granted by the State to the City of Menton, which has sub-concessioned private beaches, stops definitively on August 31, 2023. Knowing that there have been three successive extension endorsements. Delegates have been in place for almost 15 years [la durée de la concession est de 12 ans Ndlr]. They have known for two and a half years that they will have to go back to competition. »
Five batches still pending
All responded to the call for tenders. Currently, four files are in advanced discussion and in the process of being validated (by September 27). Five lots are still awaiting an application meeting the specifications. If there is no change, the procedure will be relaunched in mid-September with the same methodology. The mayor reveals to have discussed this file “in perfect osmosis” with the services of the State, including the new sub-prefect Laura Reynaud. It was discussed, among other things, the operating period from April 15 to October 15 (the structures must be dismantled following this date).
The City has asked to keep the derogation allowing the maintenance of establishments during the winter period. “Menton recently obtained the “Tourist City” label. This is an argument for asking the State to remain open for 48 weeks in a row without having to dismantle the establishments”, indicates the mayor. Faced with the substantial investment for the delegates, the fear of an increase in à la carte prices is growing. On this point, Yves Juhel draws.
“The price of the mattress is not the same on all the beaches. We are aware of the turnover of each establishment and we know the price displayed. I can tell you that those who charge the highest prices are not not those with the lowest turnover. For works, the average commitment is between 350,000 and 450,000 euros. If someone has to redo all their kitchens to bring themselves up to standard, that will inevitably weigh on the budget. There may be a few euros increase in some places but the goal is to stay at prices that correspond to Menton.”
