Rennes plans holiday shopping support

The City of Rennes is working on measures to make it easier for people to visit businesses in the city center during the end-of-year holidays. These include free public transport on certain days, free parking in specific spots, and a temporary exemption from terrace fees. The details of these plans were announced on October 30, though the exact dates and specifics are still being worked out.

Meeting with business representatives

Mayor Nathalie Appéré met with representatives from merchant associations and collectives at the City Hall, nearly two weeks after shops were damaged during the October 17 demonstrations. After this meeting, she asked her deputy for commerce, Sébastien Sémeril, to finalize an action plan with local business owners in the coming days, as stated in the city’s official communiqué from October 30.

Collaboration with transport and local government

The proposed plan involves cooperation between the City of Rennes and Rennes Métropole, which manages public transport. The plan could include free days on the transport network or free hours in under-construction parking lots. It also includes an exceptional exemption from terrace fees, along with additional activities as part of a campaign called "This Winter in Rennes" to promote local shopping.

Details still pending for users

The announcements are intended to help both residents who travel for shopping and local business owners who rely on the end-of-year season. However, the communiqué does not yet specify the days when transport would be free, which parking lots would be involved, or how long the free parking would last. Merchants are also waiting for more details about the terrace fee exemption.

Under-construction parking affected

For drivers, it’s important to distinguish between regular street parking and under-construction parking. The city’s proposal applies only to the latter. Until any new measures are in place, the current parking rules in Rennes remain in effect: in paid zones on the street, payment is required from Monday to Saturday, from 9 am to noon and from 2 pm to 7 pm.

Concerns about the impact on businesses

The October 30 meeting took place amid ongoing challenges for shops that were directly damaged during the demonstrations and those worried about a drop in customer traffic. Local media reported that some business representatives expressed reservations after the meeting, calling for broader measures, especially regarding parking and the financial burdens on businesses.

Financial aid and insurance procedures

The city continues to discuss with state services and trade chambers about financial aid for affected businesses. The prefect has also pledged to keep merchants informed about protest routes and security measures. Meanwhile, businesses that suffered damage can seek help from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which advises them to file a complaint, take photos of the damage, and report incidents to their insurer quickly.

Insurance extensions and financial relief

For the violence on October 17 and 18, insurers have agreed to extend the time for filing claims to 30 days. If businesses face cash flow issues, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry explains how to defer employer contributions to Urssaf and payment deadlines, depending on each case. Companies that have had to cut back or stop operations can also explore part-time work options with relevant services.

Next steps and finalizing plans

The city hall has announced that the next step is to finalize the plan with professional organizations. At this point, residents will learn the dates of any free days, and affected restaurant and café owners will get the details about the terrace fee exemption.