Letter to the Prime Minister
In a letter dated November 2, the mayor of Thionville, Pierre Cuny, wished to challenge the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, on “the situation of downtown businesses already severely affected by the first period of confinement. If the health situation requires avoiding places of assembly and contact, it must not generate a difference in treatment that is difficult for traders and their customers to understand. […] The issue nevertheless requires a strong reaction to the risk of dealing a fatal blow to our businesses. These traders have, since the deconfinement of last May, made significant efforts and investments to adapt to the new situation in terms of health. Their efforts have thus made it possible to operate in satisfactory conditions which make it possible to consider that these businesses do not represent high risk places. This is why I ask you to grant so-called “non-essential” businesses the possibility of reopening under strict sanitary conditions. […] I also want to pass on the expectations of traders to you. They would consist of aid on the payment of their rents, exemptions or deferred payment of various social charges, the renewal of the aid implemented during the first confinement … Mr Prime Minister, traders are today in a situation of survival and we must collectively act to provide them with strong and rapid support ”, concludes the mayor of Thionville in his letter.
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Click and collect
“This Monday morning, I assembled a“ special trade ”crisis unit with elected officials and technicians in the presence of Isabelle Rauch, our deputy,” indicates Pierre Cuny. Several measures have already been taken. As of today, two telephone lines dedicated exclusively to traders in Thionville are open to support traders in their administrative and digital procedures: Anne-Karine Ivanov, city center manager (07 85 47 65 22) and the apecet (06 70 01 01 44). “The Thionvillecommerces – www.thionvillecommerces.com website and Facebook page are updated daily to inform consumers of open businesses and those who offer click & collect-style delivery solutions. All the relevant solutions are being studied to offer you secure online sales and / or click & collect systems ”, continues the chief magistrate. “Special Christmas” and “Thionville j’achète” marketing actions are being created. “I call on Thionvillois not to rush to online sales sites during this period. Let us know how to keep this purchasing power in order, as soon as possible, to cross the door of our favorite stores again. The local economy also depends on us consumers. “
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Parking
Unlike the first confinement, parking was not made free this time in Thionville. “Today we have 30 minutes free and two hours on Saturdays. Free access is a weapon that has cost us dearly, in the order of € 500,000. I would prefer to use it at the time of deconfinement by offering three weeks of total free access. In addition, the downtown plots are lowered until 2 p.m. and then from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to facilitate click and collect. But beware, it’s transitory, “warns Pierre Cuny, preferring to anticipate the possible anger that this automobilization of the city center could arouse in some. “I just remember that we are in confinement and that in principle, no one should hang out in the streets anymore …”
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