Chaudron-d’Or, street of discord

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The tone rises rue du Chaudron-d’Or, where a group of residents has been fighting for several months to say “stop the nuisances linked to drinking establishments”. In their viewfinder, pell-mell, “the spreading terraces, the customers screaming at 2-3am, the vomit, the urine, the fights…” They are twenty-nine to want that to change, not all inhabitants of the rue de la Soif Poitevine. Some live in the Rabelais and Cordeliers residences or rue de l’Eperon. “We send the town hall statistics showing the overtaking of the terraces, even if for a few weeks, it has been less marked”, says Virgile Dupuis, Poitevin for four years. The collective also denounces the fact that three new bars have been set up over the past four years. “Inevitably, it’s an additional influx of customers…” The situation would have deteriorated after the deconfinements. Not to mention the security issues. “Rue de l’Eperon, some buses pass 50cm from the chairs”testifies a local resident.

“We rub shoulders with local residents”

“We do not minimize the annoyance and noise of the streetagrees Aron Zhang, on behalf of the incriminated cafe owners. Sometimes the terraces go beyond the dotted line but we try to curb it. Rue du Chaudron-d’Or has been a bustling street in Poitiers for decades. All of our establishments are late-night bars, they open at 5-6 p.m. and activity only really begins at 10-11 p.m. » The cafe owner relies on almost nineteen years of presence. “We rub shoulders with local residents, we know them and we have always discussed in order to find compromises to preserve the neighborhood. Many have my mobile number, the concierge of the Cordeliers residence too. As soon as there is a problem, we call each other. » Over time, the Bar des Papas has condemned its interior terrace, the bars have learned to empty their bottles on Friday afternoon (and no longer on Thursday evening after the service), they have given up on “karaoke”, “all things amplified music”them “big student parties”… “We can do things but we can’t become a clothing store! »

Student City

Attempts at conciliation between the collective of local residents, cafe owners and the City of Poitiers have so far been unsuccessful. “On the installation of a private company in private premises, we have no controlrecalls Julie Reynard, Trade Assistant. Moreover, this street has always been a student street. Residents have spent two years with less noise. Today, students are reclaiming public space. »The municipality does not plan to limit opening hours by decree.“A city that goes out at 11 p.m. is not possible. We can just be more vigilant about overtaking terraces. »The municipal police, whose service ends at 10 p.m., is alerted, as is the national police.

In support of the town hall and the bars, customers have launched a petition which has already collected nearly 3,000 signatures. For their part, the residents are preparing one. They will demand that no new bars open on the street, as well as“the closing of bars or terraces at 11 p.m.”, according to Virgile Dupuis. Without any illusions about the outcome of their grievances. The next round could therefore be played before the administrative court of Poitiers, like the actions carried out by the collective Right to sleep Paris whose claims go in the same direction.

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