During a visit to the Saint-Antoine refreshment stand, which was set on fire last May, Lyon's mayor Grégory Doucet announced his desire to test the regulation of commercial rents. Together with Pierre Hurmic, the mayor of Bordeaux, he wrote a letter at the end of August asking the future Minister of Commerce to allow their cities to become testing grounds for this measure. The goal: to put an end to the increasing pressure from landlords on independent merchants.
A breath of fresh air for independent businesses
In the capital of the Gauls, support for the hospitality and restaurant sector is clear. Thierry Fontaine, president of UMIH, denounces the brutal rent increases that can triple at the end of a lease, practices that endanger independents. In Lyon, these independents represent 60% of commerce in the Presqu'île, compared to only 35% on average in French city centers. The r
"framework would, according to him, help to preserve the diversity and the trading spirit of neighborhoods.An already significant opposition
The idea is divisive: the Lyon opposition warns of unintended consequences. Loïc Terrenes, national advisor for Renaissance, believes that the measure could deter property owners, reduce availability, and favor large brands that can sidestep the rules. His critical message, shared by Jean-Michel Aulas, revives the debate on the balance between protecting small businesses and economic dynamism.
Lyon and Bordeaux, showcases of a possible national reform
If the experiment is approved, Lyon and Bordeaux could become the first French cities to test this system. In a context where rents are soaring and independents are struggling to survive, this initiative could..."to serve as a model for other French metropolitan areas. The government will soon have to decide: give this test a chance or let the markets set their own rules.
Source : Le Figaro