Two opposition councilors denounce security issues and a change in direction at the Gare du Sud. The mayor’s office and the site operator refute these criticisms and assure that the location complies with standards.
At the beginning of the week, in front of the Gare du Sud, in the Libération district, Jean Moucheboeuf and Thierry Venem expressed their concerns. For the two councilors from the Retrouver Nice group, this site, which was supposed to be an accessible and open gathering place, seems to have deviated from its initial mission.
“This place was supposed to become a large gastronomic hall, open every day, and serve as a driver for neighborhood life,” recalled Jean Moucheboeuf. He regrets today that the site’s management has changed course. According to him, the current programming, marked by private events and limited opening hours, no longer aligns with the original project.
Thierry Venem specifies: “There was a promise of being open 7 days a week. However, the place is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and only opens from 5 PM on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Only the weekends adhere to this commitment.” According to them, this partial activity has repercussions on nearby businesses, which have little to gain from this new dynamic.
The criticisms do not stop there. Jean Moucheboeuf also mentions issues related to security: “Emergency exits are blocked, door handles are missing, and the doors themselves are sometimes padlocked.” He also cites defects in the smoke extraction systems and non-fireproof curtains. Outside, the presence of pallets and beer kegs also poses a problem.
Accusations of shortcomings and firm responses
In response to these accusations, the city of Nice and the operator Mediterraneo, a subsidiary of the Iera group, have responded. The municipality indicates that an inspection was carried out at the end of last year. No anomaly was noted on that occasion. It nevertheless asserts its intention to ensure that the contract with the tenant is well respected and specifies that it “will not hesitate, if necessary, to assert its rights if any shortcomings are found.”
The operator, for its part, speaks of “a web of lies and defamatory and dangerous allegations for our operations.” Mediterraneo asserts that all equipment is up to standard: emergency exits, curtains, security systems. The group assures that it uses an independent inspection body as well as two AP2 certified preventive security agents.
To support its statements, the company reminds that the communal safety commission gave a favorable opinion on December 12th, following an inspection conducted on the site.
According to Thierry Venem, these elements will be discussed during the next municipal council.
