“We are not not competitors of nightclubs. There have always been evenings on private beaches, it is not a novelty. “ The president of the Nice beach union, René Colomban, does not share the observation of the boss of High Club.
In our columns a few days ago, Jérôme Calaraba retraced his “fight” to “save his sector of activity”. He notably accused the private beaches, “open -air nightclubs […] to much less supervised “activity than his and submitted to less important charges.
“A dusk niche”
Love beach, Canailles, Opera Beach, Cocoon, the time of a summer or the Bocca Mar: more and more establishments organize events, such as DJ sets or concerts. Sometimes attracting headliners.
“Some have the possibility of bringing artists like Cerrone or Franz Ferdinand. Today, there are almost no more discos. The beaches recover a sloping niche that dies“Concends the boss of Blue Beach.
The beaches have gradually professionalized to host events of this scale, supports René Colomban, recalling the electro evenings which brought together nearly 3,000 people on the pebbles of the Hi (today love beach).
Important charges on the beaches
The president of the Nice beach union, however, disputes the difference in treatment between the two sectors. In particular the charges weighing on private beaches: “Opening a dealership is not easy. The loads are very heavy.“
Interview by giving the example of the Li Rateta beach (71, Promenade des Anglais), which filed for bankruptcy several times before being taken over by the town hall, becoming a club-youth.
Sacem rights too
Another subject of discord: Sacem rights. A budget that represents more than 100,000 euros per year for the High Club, “Much more than establishments not registered as a nightclub“, Specifies Jérôme Calaraba.
“We pay the Sacemretorts René Colomban, 8.25% of our gross turnover (ticket office and drinks included) during evenings.”
Safety: different constraints
Blue Beach’s boss knows the difficulties of the middle of the night well, he who held the Scottish disco for twenty years (today Oma Club, in the pedestrian). And understands the Ire of Jérôme Calataba: “In my day, I did not need as much security. In the High, they must be fifteen guards. I had a security person, an alert button and a hostess.”
Empower customers
On at least one point, the representative of the beach workers joins his counterpart from the Union of Discos and Leisure places in the South Region: “Customers must be emphasized more, so that everyone is housed in the same brand in the event of an offense. In France, it is a scandal when a firm society. A nightclub is less embarrassing.”
According to him, the audience of the beaches is different: “Customers are less alcoholic. When a guy is drunk with us, it shows right away. He will be shame in the middle and we spot him quickly. In a box, it’s more complicated.”
Partners rather than adversaries?
Listening to René Colomban, the Guéguerre between private beaches and nightclubs would be a false problem. “”Everyone would benefit from working together. The beaches close at the latest between midnight and 2 hours. If our customers want to continue their evening, they can very well go to a nightclub“He said.
Two complementary festive places? “”I don’t want to become a dormitory town, like Menton. It is a good thing that young people arrive with new ideas and the desire to organize events.”
