Last week, Smet was reportedly asked to leave the high-end shopping zone by several shop owners while he was distributing flyers about the project.
"Smet poses as a Julius Caesar who can just decide about the death or life of businesses. Without impact studies, without consulting the traders working here? That makes no sense," said Patrick Van der Stichelen Rogier, manager of the Sablon Antiques Center gallery, to the RTBF.Related News: Anti-car Brussels minister not welcome in high-end shopping zone
"Our clients are generally old and well-off, not young people on a scooter. Moreover, we do not sell stamps, but statues, marble pillars, furniture or large paintings. We cannot survive without parking," he added.
However, Pascal Smet does not intend to let go of the project. "We definitely want to make the Sablon a pedestrian zone. The project can be postponed, but not stopped. Many Brussels residents also let us know that they support the project," Smet's spokesperson told RTBF.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times