Opening, closing, closing, opening, life in the city center of Poitiers has long resembled a waltz of signs. On this opening day of the sales, we investigated.
The subject is a bit of a hobby of the inhabitants and the Poitevin media. How is the city center of Poitiers? A question born quite simply by walking in the streets and observing the departure of certain signs and the arrival of others. According to the president of the Poitiers-Le Center association, Jean-Baptise Dubreuil, the results are positive since since May 2023, there have been 13 openings for 10 closings. “On the other hand, turnover is high, especially compared to businesses that have been established for a long time.“, he specifies.
The loyal clientele, that of the “plateau” as it is called, that of the hyper center, is not missing. The problem is the others, those who come from the surrounding towns. “We have people from Chauvigny who no longer make the effort to come because it’s complicated to park“adds Jean-Baptiste Dubreuil.
In the main street, a roaster bets every week on the Saturday morning market which is not far from his store. “I make 40% of my monthly figure thanks to Saturday mornings. My customers come less often but they buy more. They complain about the price of parking.”
Faced with these recriminations, the town hall defends itself. “There was no decrease in flows but rather an increase. The city center is accessible, it is not a problem. Half of the people come by car, the other half use soft transport. As for the turn-over of the signs, it is certainly important but behind, there are always projects which arrive. In the end, only 5% of commercial premises are vacant “explains Julie Reynard, deputy in charge of the local economy
Overpriced parking?
The parking prices de Poitiers is the other annoying subject when we talk about the city center. “I go to Tours, Niort or La Rochelle to do my shopping“, confides this Poitevin who has lived for 40 years in Poitiers. “In addition to Niort, parking is not expensive, there is one hour free“.
Indeed, when we compare the price of car parks in the hyper centers of Niort and Poitiers, the difference is obvious. AT Niort, the first hour is free in four municipal car parks. Two hours of parking Place de la Brèche will cost you 1€50. In Poitiers, two hours in the Town Hall car park costs €4, with no free hour.
This free hour, the association of merchants of Poitiers-Le Center, often asks for it but the town hall does not really show enthusiasm. “The average parking time is 2h30 in Poitiers. Is it in our interest to favor short passages asks Julie Reynard, assistant in charge of the local economy.
The question remains unanswered, as does the question of an efficient bus network or a shuttle system, as in La Rochelle. The life of downtown Poitiers should still fuel a few conversations.
#Poitiers #city #center #dying
