Sunday opening on the cards as Namur recognised as a tourist centre

Wallonia’s capital, Namur, is looking to roll out widespread Sunday shopping, following the city’s recognition as a “tourist centre” by the federal government.

The city applied in October for this title, which allows businesses to extend their opening hours.

Federal minister for small businesses David Clarinval granted the status shortly before Chrsitmas via a ministerial decree and the office of Walloon minister-president Adrien Dolimont has confirmed Namur’s new status.

The recognition will allow 2,165 shops and some 430 hospitality establishments in Namur and its surrounding area to open on Sundays.

Previously, only shops in certain areas such as Namur centre, Lives-sur-Meuse, Jambes and Wépion, popular for its strawberry museum and prime Meuse location, could open on the sabbath.

“This will attract more people to Namur and will benefit the city,” Charlotte Déom, alderwoman for tourism, economic and commercial development, told RTBF.

The “tourist centre” label means that staff in businesses with more than five employees can work on Sunday afternoons. A level playing field has now been achieved, said Etienne Dethier, former president of the association of Namur businesses.

He told RTBF that the scheme’s popularity would depend on the business sector, size, type and structure of each shop. In some cases, for example due to a lack of staff, Sunday openings would not be possible.

And working every day is not for everyone. Rosario Bartoluccio, who manages a grocery store just outside the city, told RTBF that he already worked full time Tuesday to Saturday. He considered Sunday as a day of rest to spend with the family.

Towns must meet three criteria to obtain the "tourist centre" status, currently held by around 60 towns in Belgium. They must have an “assured tourist welcome” from an approved body such as a tourist office or Visit Wallonia, be deemed of “critical importance” to the local economy, and contain popular tourist attractions to encourage visitors.

Namur, with some 114,000 people, has a range of sites including the citadel and relatively recent cable car to get you there, numerous art museums such as the Rops, Trema and the Delta contemporary art and cultural centre and more unexpected delights and events, for example the computer museum and annual stilt walking competition.