Sales down 30 percent
“Despite optimistic predictions, business has been at an impasse since June. Many entrepreneurs have noted 30 percent drop in sales compared to previous years,” reads the statement of industry organizations quoted on Saturday by the France Info portal. It was issued by the organizations: GHR and Umih, associating restaurateurs and hoteliers, as well as the Confederation of Traders and SNEG – the trade union of entertainment venues.
Paris is divided into sectors. Admission is rationed
The organizations complain about the “massive security measures” associated with the Olympic Games and assess that there was a lack of information and explanation when they were introduced. This mainly concerns the division of the center of Paris into sectors to which admission is rationed. Access is in many places fenced off with metal barriers.
Metal barriers scare away customers
Restaurateurs understand that “ensuring the safety of guests of the games is an absolute priority”. However, they emphasize that the lack of information did not allow them to prepare for the restrictions. “For example, Parisian restaurants and bars located on the Trocadero square are affected by access restrictions and attendance there has fallen by 70 percent” – the authors of the letter explain. Meanwhile, metal barriers on the most famous streets of Paris have – according to restaurateurs – a deterrent effect on customers.
These problems were compounded by concerns about the political situation following the elections (France still does not have a government) as well as unfavourable weather at the start of the season.
The signatories of the statement appeal for the establishment of compensation conditions for entities in their industry, pointing out that “many small businesses are at risk of closure”.