Work in the market halls of Béziers: “The Hallegria will be put in a sarcophagus”

Nadia et Olivier Simorre, aux côtés de l'équipe de l'Hallegria. Tous sont prêts à affronter cette période de travaux. Midi Libre – Mélissa Alcoléa

While the major renovation work on the market halls of Béziers has begun, only one business remains open there during the eight months of construction: the L'Hallegria restaurant. The bosses are embarking on an uncertain period for their business but view the future with optimism. They explain their choice. And how they will work. 

The Hallegria: it is an exception in the market halls of Béziers. The only business with an 18-year commercial lease with the town hall. This restaurant, well known to Biterrois residents, will remain open during the eight months of renovation work. A decision that was imposed on the bosses, Nadia and Olivier Simorre. As the machines come into action on the other side of the glass wall which separates them from the halls, they explain their choice. 

"We don't really know where we're going but we will open during the weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday noon", they explain. "In spring, we don't really know when, we might be able to use our outdoor terrace and switch to usual operation", hopefully- they. But this will depend on the progress of the site. In the meantime, the table is also being held this Wednesday evening, for Valentine's Day. "And we are going to organize evenings, with singers for example, to be attractive. Because we know that the passing customer will not come."

"We have a stable team, we prioritized it"

Technically, the room will be put "in a sarcophagus", smiles Nadia Simorre. "They will isolate the Hallegria in a chest" in particular to protect the superb glass roof which takes up the&#39 ;original architecture of the halls. "We are going to put curtains and install suitable lighting". The staff, a team of five people and two apprentices, are partially laid off. Which implies renouncing municipal aid to compensate for the work. "We have a stable team, they have been working with us for 8 years, so we prioritized them", explains Nadia Simorre. The cost of a total closure would also have been "too high", underlines, for his part, Olivier Simorre.& nbsp;

"We welcome change, we must move forward"

The couple's desire is to open the restaurant, at the end of the construction site, in the new Biltoki halls, thanks to their bay windows. Whereas until now, the building was accessed only from the outside. "The objective is of course for our restaurant to participate in the life of the halls." A potential development of the bar area is being considered to be in line with the new and modern halls. "We welcome change, we must move forward."

"We count on our customers and the Biterrois"

Despite this delicate period, Nadia and Olivier Simorre therefore want to be positive. In 2015, they were part of the team of six partners who took over the place, before buying 100% of the shares, shortly before Covid. She is a teacher, he is a doctor. But both have invested a lot in this matter. "We are counting on our customers and on the people of Béziers to help us", slide all the same Nadia Simorre, who measures the level of uncertainty for the months to come.  "Our positioning may evolve but we don't know yet. We would like to integrate into a dynamic. We no longer want to be seen as apart. Even if history wants us to be a special case."

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