Belgium in Brief: What Is A Terrace?

Belgium in Brief: What Is A Terrace?
Credit: Belga/Pixabay

When I say the word terrace, what do you think of?

Definitions differ in wording, but they fundamentally agree that it should be "a level paved area next to a building; a patio."

Houses have them, many HoReCa establishments too, but now that the next stage of Belgium's deconfinement plan is hanging on the use of terraces... what about the places that never had one before?

Can they just decide they have a terrace?

According to the City of Brussels, a terrace is "the part of the public road in the frontal extension of the façade of a hospitality establishment that is occupied by furniture (tables, chairs, parasols, standing tables, etc.) intended to receive customers of a hospitality establishment for on-site consumption."

That's a relatively open brief. Can a terrace-less bar put a chair on the side of the road and apply for a licence? A standing table? A bench? A particularly large windowsill?

According to the official document, "only those establishments listed in the Ordinance on the operation of a hospitality establishment on the territory of the City of Brussels may submit an application for an annual or seasonal terrace," so they at least CAN apply.

This application must include:

- the certificate of conformity for the HoReCa industry issued by the City of Brussels;

- The completed permit application form;

- Photographs of the location and of the proposed installation or a simulation;

- A copy of the articles of association (if the business is run by a legal entity) and of the operator's identity card.

But it still doesn't really qualify how basic a terrace can be. What's the minimum here? This is something that could be a lifeline to the sector, but it just feels a little vague.

Do you know more? Do you run a café and have a plan? Let me know - @johnstonjules /j.johnston@brusselstimes.com

AND continuing my call from yesterday, this week I'm looking for the best coffee in Brussels & beyond. Message me your favourite spot for better times.

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Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your lunch break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:

1. Dozens need third Pfizer vaccination after receiving too-low first dose

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The staff responsible at the centre noticed the problem after one of the many quality checks, according to Ivo Deckers, vice-president of the first-line zone Demerland, which the centre is part of. Read more.

2. Belgium will discuss how to reopen hospitality sector on Friday

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A bit over a week after the previous Committee, the authorities will meet on Friday 23 April to look into gradually restarting the culture and events sector and the sports sector, as Flemish Minister-President Jan Jambon announced. Read more.

3. EMA to announce evaluation of Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine today

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4. Fake job applications should help map discrimination in Belgian labour market

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The scheme using fake applications, which will involve nearly 1.9 million employees in the hospitality and graphics sector, among others, was proposed by three labour market experts as an academic monitoring system to better understand Belgium’s discrimination problem. Read more.

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The city’s Yongsan Police Station is investigating allegations that the woman, Xiang Xueqiu, slapped the assistant in the face at a Seoul shop on 9 April this year, according to reports from The Korea Times. Read More.

6. Press freedom in Belgium remains ‘source of concern’, Reporters without Borders says

The situations of journalists and press freedom in Belgium remains a source of concern according to the non-profit organisation Reporters without Borders (RSF), which cited a growing awareness of abuse of journalists.

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Jules Johnston

The Brussels Times


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