Beach clubs in Menton hoping for an exemption from seasonal closure regulations have been ordered to dismantle their infrastructure for winter after the Prefecture denied their request to remain open year-round. Despite backing from the local Mairie, the Prefecture’s decision has left beach club owners scrambling to disassemble structures, all whilst fretting over potential financial hardship.
The news was received on 5th November at a town council meeting and Mayor Yves Juhel expressed his disappointment afterwards, telling France 3 Côte d’Azur, “It’s a big disappointment for the beach clubs who invested a lot of money; it is a big disappointment for the mayor and the people of Menton, because these were places that were starting to take off.”
The Prefecture cited a lack of sufficient storm protection as their reasoning behind the forced closures.
TURMOIL FOR OWNERS
The timing has thrown the beach clubs into turmoil. After a shortened summer season that started in mid-July, many had hoped that year-round operations would sustain them financially.
“If I stay open year-round, I’m counting on a turnover of €1.3 million, and that would allow me to keep the staff, pay my rent, my loans…” Fernando Usai, manager of La Pergola, told France 3 Côte d’Azur.
The bigger issue may be staffing woes, as the beach clubs claim they had the Mairie’s assurance they would be allowed to remain open. Many hired additional permanent and temporary staff that they will now struggle to pay.
Additionally, they say they dismantling services they rely on are now unavailable until January or later.
“Our company specialising in the dismantling of pergolas is not available before January,” said Fabio Gambarino, manager of the Sablettes Beach Club to France 3 Côte d’Azur. “So we will dismantle in January a structure that will have to be reassembled in March, at a cost of around €30,000?”
Several managers have asked the Prefecture to permit a partial, rather than full, dismantling of their facilities to ease some of the pressure, but it will take time to see if the request is granted.
BLAME GAME
Meanwhile, the club owners accuse the municipality of having delayed its request for an exemption from the Prefecture. Mayor Juhel denies this, insisting that the primary issue is safety, as the seawall at Sablettes Beach has not yet been fully completed to protect the area.
As an olive branch, the Mairie has offered to provide municipal storage for equipment and is exploring possible financial support. Construction on the seawall is set to begin early next year, but in the meantime, beach club owners are left to navigate the challenges posed by the seasonal closure. The prefecture has reportedly yet to provide an explanation for the timing of its decision.
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Photo Credit: Diego DB