Advertisement

Bakers at war over forced one day closure

Matthew Warren
Matthew Warren - [email protected]
Bakers at war over forced one day closure
Nic McPhee

A decision by authorities in Lyon to force all bakeries to close for at least one day a week has divided opinion among the city's baguette-makers.

Advertisement

The move was prompted after complaints by some of the south-west city's boulangeries that they were unable to close if other bakeries insisted on working seven days a week as they risked losing business.

An initial order to close once a week in July 2010 has now been upheld by the administrative tribunal of the city.

"A majority of us want to have one day a week when we close to give us a chance to rest without having to worry about competition," said Eric Machado, quoted by Aujourd'hui newspaper.

Other bakers and bakery chains are strongly opposed to the enforced closure.

"We've been opening for seven days a week for two years now," said Claude Polidori, who owns three bakeries in the city. "It's working really well and allowed us to employ an extra person."

"We are for freedom," said Polidori. "That those who want to work can do so while others close if they want to."

twitter.com/matthew_warren

 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also