For more than a decade, he holds this last show almost alone. “”I continued after the pension because I was in good shape “he explains. Today, he considers that it is time to turn the page.
Michel Panicci claims a simple work style based on service and human contact. “”I have always wanted a living room on a human scale, where people know what to expect “.
“Kubla had offered me to become an alderman but that did not interest me”
President of the Union of Traders in the 90s, Michel Panicci knows the cogs of the Waterlootois trade. “”There are nearly seventy hairdressers in Waterloo, for 30,000 inhabitants. It’s a lot. Just in the Wellington gallery, it’s five. “
On the evolution of Waterloo, Michel Panicci is rather positive. He notes that the municipality has developed, that the commercial offer has grown and that new inhabitants, from Brussels or Flanders, settle there. “”Today, we find everything in Waterloo. We no longer need to go to Brussels. Waterloo has become the shopping town of Walloon Brabant. “ The hairdresser also sees a good eye the redevelopment of the Chaussée de Brussels, which leaves more space to put the shops forward.
“Incompetence”, “no communication from the town” … The construction of the Chaussée de Brussels in Waterloo turns a nightmare for merchants
Michel Panicci does not hide his gratitude towards Serge Kubla, former bourgmestre of Waterloo, whom he considers a solid partner of traders. “”He understood our needs, even if he did not always agree. ” Michel also received proposals to enter politics. “He had offered to become an alderman, but that didn’t interest me.”
“In Tubize or Verviers, it’s catastrophic”
Neoretraité has analyzed the evolution of the Walloon commercial fabric and notes that Waterloo is doing better than others. “”Here, there may be 4 % of shops for sale or rent. In Wavre or Liège, it’s much more. And in Tubize or Verviers, it’s catastrophic. “ According to him, some municipalities have let the trade collapse for lack of vision. He also insists on the importance of offering accessible rents and supporting perennial businesses rather than temporary formulas. “”Trade is a duration commitment. Not three -month DIY. “
Lasne, Waterloo, Hulpe: the golden triangle of an ever more expensive Walloon Brabant and always the most expensive province in Wallonia
Michel Panicci leaves his profession without bitterness. He wants to devote himself to his family, in particular to his grandchildren. His living room located in the Wellington gallery has not yet found a buyer, but Michel is not particularly in a hurry. He does not try to sell his living room to anyone. “”It is not a matter of money. I want it to continue correctly. “
