Nijmegen bans alcohol sales in city center during Vierdaagse event
Supermarkets and other retail stores in the center of Nijmegen will be prohibited from selling alcohol between noon and midnight during the annual Vierdaagsefeesten in July, a massive weeklong street festival that coincides with the International Four Days Marches, the world’s largest multiple-day walking event. The Nijmegen city council approved the measure Tuesday night in a vote that saw 35 members in favor and only 3 against, according to Omroep Gelderland.
The restriction will apply from Saturday, July 12, through Friday, July 18, during the festivities surrounding the internationally known Vierdaagse walking event. The event transforms the city center into a hub of festivities, music, and crowds, making it one of the busiest and most vibrant weeks of the year for Nijmegen.
The municipal government proposed the ban as a response to rising concerns about alcohol-related nuisance and health risks, as well as excessive littering. By halting sales in city-center shops during peak hours, the city aims to reduce public intoxication and its consequences.
“You see that buildings designated for retail use, which are normally inactive, suddenly sell alcohol just for that one week. We don’t want that,” said Mayor Hubert Bruls during the council meeting. “Everything is suddenly filled with cheap alcohol during that week. You make it extremely easy for large groups to consume large quantities of alcohol.”
Bruls emphasized that the problem has become disproportionate. “With this ban, we’re ensuring that young people may drink less and leave less mess behind,” he said.
Hospitality entrepreneurs had been calling attention to the issue for some time, arguing that the unregulated sale of low-cost alcohol in stores directly affects their businesses. According to these business owners, festivalgoers often purchase inexpensive alcohol elsewhere and still gather at bar terraces to enjoy performances, bypassing the purchase of drinks from licensed venues.
The council agreed with their concerns. The new regulation aims not only to reduce alcohol misuse but also to level the playing field for licensed hospitality businesses operating in the city center during one of Nijmegen’s busiest weeks of the year.
