City Offers Support to Businesses Due to COVID-19 Measures

The easing of restrictions as of January 14 has opened up new possibilities for many business owners. The “ executive board ” (City Council) is pleased that stores are once again allowed to stay open until 5:00 p.m. and that contact professions are permitted again, even though this package of measures as a whole is not yet the final destination we’ve all been waiting for. For the hospitality, cultural, and events sectors, the easing of restrictions does not yet provide the relief that was hoped for. The “ executive board ” calls this a bitter pill to swallow. “The blows to these sectors have been particularly harsh, and business owners are often struggling to stay afloat.” The municipality has therefore explored ways in which it can still provide some support to these business owners.

Restaurant and bar owners are struggling with the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 measures. As compensation, they were therefore given the opportunity over the past year to create a patio or expand an existing one. These business owners may continue to use this COVID-19 terrace or terrace expansion until November 1, 2022. In this way, the municipality is giving the hospitality industry the opportunity, for a longer period, to welcome guests at a safe distance once this is permitted again. No rent was charged for the terraces in 2021; this policy will also apply in 2022, and business owners do not need to apply for a “ licence ” (special permit) for this.

COVID-19 Budget

Another initiative is that the “ executive board ” is making a COVID-19 budget totaling €25,000 available to innovative and startup entrepreneurs, as well as to entrepreneurs organizing a joint initiative. This budget is available to all entrepreneurs in Voorschoten.

Be loyal, buy local!

The B&W’s “ executive board ” (Business Support Initiative) recognizes that these measures can only alleviate a small part of the hardship faced by business owners. It is therefore making an urgent appeal to all residents of Voorschoten: “We hope that our business owners will soon be able to reopen their doors without restrictions. In Voorschoten, we have a wide and varied selection of restaurants, bars, and shops that we can be proud of and want to preserve for as long as possible. So please support entrepreneurial Voorschoten in the broadest sense. Let’s look out for one another during these difficult times and, above all, shop at local (restaurant and bar) businesses.”