Future Biltoki halls in Béziers: the new stallholders met before the opening scheduled for November 15

The stallholders of the Béziers market halls met at the Palais des Congrès on Tuesday evening in front of Mayor Robert Ménard. Rémy Rugiero

The new stallholders of the Béziers market halls met this Tuesday, October 8, at the Palais des Congrès de la Ville. The opening date of November 15 at noon was announced to them by Mayor Robert Ménard, who was present during this exchange. The traders displayed great optimism.

The outcome is near. After long months of work necessary for the modernization of the Béziers market halls. The new stallholders were all invited to the Palais des congrès this Tuesday, October 8, to an information meeting, by Biltoki, a company retained by the City of Béziers for the management of the premises, in order to present them with the final details of the project and also allow them to exchange among themselves. “This is the starting point of a great adventure. The 24 traders met this Tuesday, October 8 (the florist was however excused).”This will be the first time that we will open a market hall that will be completely full”, explains Bixente Aleman, one of the founders of Biltoki, present at the evening. “The City played the game in terms of investments, putting all the chances on its side to get this great project off the ground”, he added.

The stallholders present at the meeting were informed of important information, such as the date of the inauguration of the market halls on Friday, November 15 at noon, announced by Mayor Robert Ménard, who came in person to inform them. The city councilor, at the end of the meeting, declared:“We were finally able to tell them when it was starting. November 15 will give everyone time to get used to the place.”We will accompany this event with three days of celebrations afterwards. I felt a good atmosphere between them, the desire to work together. That is the key to making it work in my opinion. Nowhere else in the Béziers region will we find such an offer. They are all amazing, with different nationalities, and I believe they came out of this gathering comforted."

"Dimensional Shift"

While the final adjustments are underway as well as the usage and safety checks that are being carried out with a view to completing the work, almost all of the traders' requests have been processed to meet their needs. “The stands designed correspond to the desires of each of them. In terms of dimensions and equipment, everything will be ready for the big day,'' adds the chief magistrate. Although the public is not allowed to visit the premises, the mayor of the city was still able to see the transformation of the market halls, the charm already working:"It's simply beautiful. The architects have added their touch, it's a real embellishment. The Meilleurs Ouvriers de France also participated in the work, and no expense was spared to allow this part of the commune to simply change size."

The seven former shopkeepers who chose to take part in this adventure, like Philippe Bonifas, a horse butcher by profession. The one who has been working there since 1993, is already champing at the bit:“We're in the starting blocks. It was great to be able to put faces and also stories to the future stallholders. Of course, the stress is not far away, but if we stayed, it's because we believe wholeheartedly in this concept. When the need arises, we have an attentive and responsive ear. We look forward to meeting our customers and all the people who have trusted us over all these years." Useful interactions that have helped establish a relationship of trust with the stallholders.

“This immense desire to make things happen”

The service provider Biltoki was pleased with the progress of the work, carried out in record time compared to other projects of this type. Bixente Aleman appreciated : “Usually it takes us three to four years to complete our projects. Here in Béziers, everything will be finished in less than two years, which is remarkable. We immediately felt, when we came to visit the city for the first time, this immense desire to make things happen. Our teams supported the project as best they could. Now, we are going to duplicate recipes that adapt to the local area and our job will be to coordinate and create a link between the know-how of the traders and the customer. If the residents are happy and find themselves in the project, people passing through will join the structure by taking advantage of the market halls."

Rodolphe Ernest, will be one of the new traders in the Béziers market halls, with his oyster bar concept. Rémy Rugiero

Rodolphe Ernest (oyster bar): “The concept can only work”

Rodolphe Ernest, 45, is originally from Sète and has always worked in the fish and seafood industry and the Thau lagoon. Currently president of the Frontignan market traders' association, he will be the last stallholder to join the Beziers market. from November 15th.

Can you introduce yourself?

I come from Sète, and I already have a stall in the Frontignan market halls, lÔ Huîtres, for five years. Since I was little, I worked at the fish market, in the fishmonger and later, I wanted to create an oyster bar at home. Recently, the service provider contacted me to join the B&éziers market halls following a withdrawal.

The project that was presented to you was attractive ? Why ?

It is an honor to have been chosen to start. Everything will be new, I really want to start the adventure. I have seen Béziers transform over the last decade. I have inquired about Biltoki, I appreciate their concept throughout France and their know-how, for a long time, has not been demonstrated. I only perceive good things when I come here.

Does the support seem coherent to you??

Yes, because the desire to bring together merchants is strong. Like a locomotive that pulls everyone along with it. We devote ourselves solely to our work, on the quality of the products. There will be entertainment around us, so it's very reassuring and that explains my visit to these halls.

What was said during this meeting ?

We had explanations about the coming weeks, the progress of the work, as well as our exact location and the direction of traffic for example. The concept can only bring people to my eyes. There is a real synergy emerging between the stallholders that we have gotten to know.

The halls will promote connections between traders, an additional asset ?

I have already want to go and get some food from some producers. We will have everything on site. The goal is to make colleagues known by enhancing food and drinks. Then to offer our customers an overview of what is good at the Beziers market halls.

What seafood products will you offer ?

All shellfish and crustaceans. Fish too, and everything related to the seafood catering function. We will also produce on site a wide variety of dishes and meals related to the world of the sea and that of the Thau lagoon.

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