Béziers: the emblematic restaurant of the market halls, the Hallegria, prepares its reopening

Un coup de peinture avant la réouverture de l'Hallegria Midi Libre - Mathilde Jullien

While they were planning to open for the duration of the renovation work on the covered market (which is scheduled to open in November), the owners of Hallegria had to close from April. They are now preparing to reopen, eager to show the people of Béziers the restaurant's new offerings.

Due to a lack of customers, Nadia and Olivier Simorre had to resolve, last April, to close the doors of Hallegria to gourmets and regulars. They had nevertheless chosen to maintain weekend services during the renovation work on the Béziers market halls which began in February. There were several reasons for this decision: “With 50 meals per day instead of 150, it was not profitable”Olivier explains, lucidly: “It must be said that the environment was no longer suitable, with the ballet of works, the nuisances that it caused, the customers no longer came”.

A mandatory compliance 

Another difficulty for the couple, the obligation, with the new safety standards of the halls, to bring into compliance an essential piece of equipment in the kitchen: the hood. “We had to review the air extraction and odor treatment system, the ducts we had did not meet the new standards” explains Nadia. A major surprise that forced these bosses to invest in a new device and in a very short time in order to prepare for a rapid reopening. “In the period when we are not welcoming anyone, without any income or assistance, it is very complicated” regrets Olivier: "Our employees were on partial unemployment until August 4. Since that date, it is up to us to pay all social security contributions. Hence our interest in reopening as quickly as possible, but we are now facing another problem, the passage of the compliance and safety commissions."

The validation of the new equipment by these commissions is the green light essential for the restaurant to get back up and running. However, for the moment, they have no visibility on a date for the passage, even though they hope to relaunch the catering offer in mid-October if all goes well.

New developments in the layout and on the menu

Until then, the restaurant is being redeveloped. A change of furniture and a new decoration are planned, always in the same spirit, around the Béziers culture. A facelift in short, which will result in changes to the menu, and surprises in terms of entertainment…

Another new feature, the bar, open to the heart of the market halls, will also accommodate covers: "We will define several areas, with places at the counter, for people alone, who will be able to order tapas and dishes" Nadia rejoices. And the couple is even considering creating a space dedicated to tasting cocktails and spirits, until late at night, in a cozy, boudoir-like atmosphere, Olivier says: “We'll have more people during the week, that's going to be beneficial, and as a general rule, we'll benefit from the synergy between the different businesses in these new halls”.

As the end of the renovation work approaches, these two owners are growing impatient to see their customers again and discover the influx of new visitors.