Hospitality and culture sector is preparing for opening doors: ‘Even if it’s just a crack’

Some bar owners are already building the terrace, others don’t really dare to stock up yet. The rumors are getting stronger that the corona measures will be relaxed, but catering entrepreneurs have heard that too often. “First see what they say, then I will prepare.”

The catering industry, but also the cultural sector is eager to receive the public again. At a number of small theaters in Overijssel, the water is now up to the lips, the financial need is high.

‘We will use every crack’

“Of course we have to wait and see, but even if the door is a crack, we will also use every crack that we are allowed to open,” says Roswyde Burgman. She is chairman of Okto, the association for small theaters in Overijssel and director of the Hoftheater in Raalte.

“Even performances for 30 people, although that is not financially feasible, we will just do it. We are paid by the community to have a function and we will perform that function.”

Industry is ready

The sector is ready, most stages and theaters are already prepared in such a way that the doors can open on Wednesday. “And if the Prime Minister announces that that is only allowed on Friday, then we will do that.”

Roswyde Burgman does expect that the cultural sector will be taken into account. “We have, of course, been the neglected child for a long time. It is now whispered that we can only be open until five o’clock or until eight o’clock in the evening. But that would be disrespectful to the stages.”

“Being allowed to open until five or eight o’clock, that would be disrespectful to the stages.”

Burgman cannot imagine such a decision being made. “Because when do we start with an audience? At eight o’clock in the evening. So I hope that we can open in the evening and that the catering industry can also open. Because in the theater it is all about the experience, about the total picture. watching a performance and going home without talking, well, that’s going to be a bit bare.”

Filmhuis Concordia in Enschede is also ready. “We have already received the latest films from the distributor,” says film programmer Mark Drenth. “So as soon as the cabinet gives the signal that we are allowed, we can immediately show the latest films. Many people are now ready for that.”