Amsterdam is possibly in for a new fight over competing space interests in its central core, with Mayor Femke Halsema threatening to take back extra permits for sidewalk cafe space to fight overcrowding.
Cafes and bars were allowed to spread out during the pandemic to compensate for loss of indoor space and for social distancing, and Halsema had extended the permits through October.
However, as tourism business floods back into the city, especially in the Red Light district and Nieuwenmarkt, there has been pushback from locals who have convinced the mayor that ‘It has become so busy on the streets that the temporary terraces are putting too much pressure on the quality of life in these areas,’ she said. She also said she might limit alcohol sales or impose earlier closing times.
Pushback from cafe owners has been predictable; the head of one business association told Het Parool newspaper that ‘After two years of government coronavirus closures and limitations, the hospitality industry is once again the fall guy.’ A larger hospitality industry group, KHN, has called on the mayor to at least hold the limits to peak periods.
