At the end of October, the commercial court of Lyon placed Le République into judicial recovery. This announcement has sent ripples through the Lyon restaurant scene. Nestled in the square of the Hôpital, just behind the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, this brasserie with its always-bustling terrace has been part of the landscape for 17 years. Its owner, Aurélien Liveneau, chooses to stay positive despite the storm, as he shares his thoughts reported by Lyon Décideurs: « We remain optimistic, we have the means to get through this ».
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Worrisome Numbers and Heavy PGE Debts
With a drop in patronage and the repayment of state-guaranteed loans, the brewery has felt the full force of the post-Covid effects. “We’ve lost 20% of our revenue in two years, and the PGE loans are due in July,” explains the owner. Payment delays are piling up, and cash flow is running thin. Judicial recovery, far from being an end, mainly allows for some breathing room, to spread out the debts, and to find a stable direction again.
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A determined leader ready to get back on track
The judicial recovery only involves Le République and not the entire Kaizen Concept group, which also manages Le Splendid and Bistrot Autrement. Despite the situation, Aurélien Liveneau is moving forward, with a continuation plan set for a year from now. This discreet yet resilient businessman fully embraces his decision: “We had to go through this collective procedure. I took my responsibilities.”
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An iconic bar-restaurant, a haven for OL fans and a political meeting spot, Le République remains a cornerstone of the Presqu'île. So, closing down is definitely not on the agenda : the ship may be rocking, but the crew is determined to steer it back to safe harbor.
Address: Place de l'hôpital, 19 Rue Louis Paufique, 69002 Lyon, FranceSource: Lyon Decideurs