Normally, the Orchid Rooms organize receptions – The Orchid Rooms
- Placed in extreme cold vigilance since the beginning of the week, the North is suffering from freezing temperatures.
- In this context, a Wattrelos restaurateur decided to take action by opening its reception rooms to accommodate homeless people.
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In normal times, the Orchids rooms organize receptions for weddings or other events in the town of Wattrelos, located fifteen kilometers from Lille. Except that since the reconfinement at the end of October, the activity has stopped and the establishment is closed except for the take-away sale of couscous. But the freezing temperatures that have just fallen on the Lille metropolis have led Abdel Farrak, the owner and manager of the premises to give another use to his salons.
“When I saw that the weather forecast predicted temperatures of -15 degrees, I told myself that something had to be done for the homeless. I discussed it with my wife and we decided very quickly to reopen the premises to accommodate people who live outside. As the living room is heated, we might as well share it with people ”.
A message shared more than 60,000 times on social networks
On Monday, the owner, who is already part of a food distribution collective, posted a message on social networks that will be shared more than 60,000 times. Solidarity is in full play and makes it possible to quickly recover food parcels, mattresses and sleeping bags in order to be able to offer food and shelter to the homeless. “We opened the salons on Tuesday evening. Nine people came to sleep and there was even a tenth who arrived completely frozen in the middle of the night. I welcomed him and offered him a soup before he fell asleep, ”continues Abdel Farrak.
In a very strict health context due to the Covid pandemic, the 450 m2 of the establishment can sleep a maximum of 20 people while respecting barrier gestures and social distancing. The reception, free and open to all depending on the places open from 6 p.m., will last until the end of the extreme cold vigilance in the region.
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