Poppodium 013 has been fined 10,000 euros for allowing the event ‘The Night is up’. With this, the night catering industry protested against the corona policy. The municipality of Tilburg had already announced last week that action would be taken against the action and visited on Saturday evening to check. The party in 013 continued ‘normally’ after that.
“When the doors were opened, it was a bit quieter than expected,” says 013 spokesman Joost van Abeelen. “Then you notice that the pubs are still open. It gets really full here around ten o’clock.”
On the other hand, 013 expected the fanatic revelers to arrive a little earlier in their dance hall. “Due to the early closing time last summer, you saw that people could really peak earlier. We secretly hoped that this would still be the case, but I think it only really gets going around eleven o’clock,” Van Abeelen added earlier. the evening.
In principle, both halls of the Tilburg pop stage are open until four o’clock on Saturday night. “There is so much positive energy, just like going on a school trip,” the spokesperson continues. “I can’t wait for the public to go wild later. That gives such a euphoric feeling.”
The 1,300 cards were gone within one minute in Tilburg. “There is room for more people, but we consciously limit it. That keeps it manageable and then people can still keep some distance.”
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The pop stage was closed for months due to the corona measures. “From a standstill we now suddenly have to run again. The people are still a bit rusty and have to get back in, but they are professional and well trained enough to get such an evening off the ground quickly.”
The municipality had announced in advance that it would hand out a fine of 10,000 euros and it has done so. During the party, the enforcers came to check and carried out the threat. The penalty payment takes 013 for granted.
Subbar in Eindhoven also participates in the protest, but closes its doors already around midnight. “I’m already bonkers,” laughs night mayor Siem Nozza. He has just finished his speech to the partying audience and is relaxing with a beer. “We had to have a lot of conversations in order to eventually come to this compromise with mayor John Jorritsma. Compared to colleagues in other cities in the Netherlands, he is quite lenient.”
The party started in Subbar at seven o’clock in the evening. “And I think everyone thinks that is fine. Night owls have also simply gone to bed early in the past two years. People have to get used to it again,” says Nozza.
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The N8club in Helmond opened its doors on Saturday evening at eleven o’clock. “What support. Our protest is completely sold out. We can’t wait, we’re going to dance again,” the club writes on Facebook.
On the eve, owner Thomas van Kooten had some healthy tension. “You’re going to do something that isn’t allowed, but it’s death or the gladiolus.” By this, the owner is referring to what, in his opinion, is an impossible policy regarding night catering. “We have to open today because of the income, but also as a statement to The Hague. Soon corona will no longer exist anywhere, except in the night catering industry. That is just not fair.”
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The hefty fine will probably also be handed out in Helmond, but Van Kooten is less afraid of enforcement. “If they want to send everyone out, then I wish them the best of luck.”
De Effenaar and Dynamo (Haven) in Eindhoven are also participating in the action. LAB-1 in Eindhoven and Carrousel in Uden declined to participate for fear of measures taken by the municipality.
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