Forced closure puts four De Pizzabakkers outlets at risk of bankruptcy

The four Amsterdam branches of De Pizzabakkers could face bankruptcy within weeks if their forced closure is upheld. “We are at a breaking point,” said the company’s lawyer on Wednesday in Amsterdam’s administrative court. The chain is contesting the closure, imposed last month by the city’s deputy mayor, which came after a series of explosions targeting its outlets.

The closed outlets are located on Plantage Kerklaan (two locations), Overtoom, and Haarlemmerdijk. In just a few weeks, attacks or attempted attacks targeted the Overtoom and Plantage Kerklaan locations, owned by the chain’s founders. The mayor ordered the closures in mid-September to protect public order and safety.

The closures are set to last until March 12 next year. That timeframe offers no “clear horizon” and is fatal for the business, the company’s lawyer argued. Previous requests to reopen were rejected by the municipality.

According to the municipality, cases like this “pose a complex dilemma” for the mayor. “The central question is: is there a serious risk to public order?” Police maintain that the risk remains “very high.”

The six-month closure period is not set in stone, the municipality added. “Threat levels and police assessments are continuously monitored,” and if the situation improves, the closure period could be reduced.

It is unclear why the pizza chain is facing these attacks. De Pizzabakkers’ lawyer said the apparent objective is to shut down the restaurants. If the closures are upheld, “the attackers will have achieved their goal.”

The company’s owners will discuss the situation with staff on Thursday. A decision on the company’s appeal to lift the closures is expected from the judge in one week.