Charleroi: soon the return of the shops to the street of the Mountain

The Rue de la Montagne, in Charleroi, has been emptied of its commercial substance by the opening of the Rive Gauche shopping center. The rate of unoccupied stores exceeds 80%. However, all the empty premises are still in good condition.

With Charleroi Center-Ville vzw, the alderman of Commerce Philippe Van Cauwenberghe (PS) challenges himself to transpose the experiment carried out in the semi -painteur of the street of Marcinelle at the street of the Mountain. Comics bookstore, vintage furniture store, two restaurants (Blah Blah Wine and Meatball's bar) have flourished in recent months, so it is feasible elsewhere.

Hélène Malnoury coordinates the projects of Creashop and From the factory to the shops, which offers public subsidies for the opening of new stores: "the operation began with Pop & C, the ephemeral creators store, whose lease expires in December. The objective is to reach the same result in the lower part of the Mountain. "

The owners were contacted. "Seven of them are willing to sign a lease for a period of 12 to 18 months with the ASBL" rejoices the alderman. The areas range from 750 m2 for the old H & M to 70 m2 for the smaller cell. "Our call for projects is intended for entrepreneurs in the broadest sense: traders, self-employed, cooperatives, badociations, companies, craftsmen."

As in the rue de Marcinelle, Charleroi Center-Ville will take over part of rental costs, to help these entrepreneurs, after badyzing the file. Applicants can apply by August 15, with a full resume, a detailed presentation of the activity and a one-year financial plan.

"Quality and originality will be decisive, as is the innovative nature of not competing with the existing offer.The projects will also have to meet the expectations expressed last year in an online survey of users of the Montagne. " In this survey, 60% of respondents wanted to see spaces for relaxation and catering, fashion, decoration, grocery and artisbad food, which would be complementary to the offer already present in Rive Gauche. Market covered by local producers, repair cafe, restaurant zero waste: the imagination is in power!

The experience can start in early 2019: the city has reserved for that 80,000 euros on the budget 2018.

 
Asbl Charleroi Downtown, 0484 / 44.33.55