What would you do if you were forced to close the most exciting project of your life before even opening it? That is exactly what has happened to a French woman who cannot open her restaurant in Garancières, northern France. All because of a problem with the toilets, after having invested more than 100,000 euros of his and his family’s savings.
Christelle Delmas is a 40-year-old woman who made her dream come true: launching her own business, a concept bar with a space reserved for children and another for parents. To do this, he had to change the traditional idea of restaurants that most people have in their heads. Not only that, but she invested more than 100,000 euros for the project, coming from her own funds and from family members who wanted to help her. And all for nothing, because now she is crying in her store, which is completely empty, out of desperation at not being able to open it.
The bar, called ‘La Family’ was due to open its doors last March, just across the street from the Garancières train station in Yvelines. He even sent out invitations for its official opening. This was an old restaurant that the protagonist decided to completely remodel and when it seemed that she had everything ready, the Administration told her no, that the place did not have enough adaptations.
The problems are continuous
The first problem that the competent authorities raised was the issue of emergency exit. No matter, Christelle created an emergency exit system in which she had to invest 2,600 euros more. We must now take advantage of the reserves.
To obtain the opening permit, the person in charge of verifying everything for the Administration prepares a fairly extensive file. When it seemed that everything was correct according to the official’s demands, she finds out that the Administration is going to reject her. Now the new problem is the basement bathrooms, which are not adapted for disabled people.
“20,000 euros that I don’t have”
Reconfiguration of the place to meet this last requirement forces him to move everything. The photographic space for parents and children has to say goodbye. When Christelle’s landlord found out about the situation, he made it very clear: he wasn’t going to lift a finger. Although, yes, he told him that “it was certainly possible to request an exemption.”
“For what?” she asked herself. Because the costs of the new modifications were no longer a small thing: “It will cost me 20,000 euros that I don’t have.”
With this bleak outlook, Christelle now faces a very important decision, especially financially: whether or not to hire an architect to help her finish the project once and for all.
Until now, he had made sketches by hand on graph paper, but the Departmental Directorate of Territories rejected them completely. They were worthless.
It seemed that everything would finally be ready in April. By then, he also prepared a two-year business plan, designed to strengthen his exemption request. “It’s rare to have it, but it’s possible,” he says. His commitment to the project is firm, but also realistic: he would do the work only when he obtained the resources. However, in May came the final blow: his exemption was denied. The conclusion is heartbreaking. “I’m declaring bankruptcy before I start,” he said desperately.
“I can’t pay for the month of June”
With tears in his eyes, he admits what seems unthinkable after so much work and money invested: “I can’t pay June’s rent.” The situation is overwhelming her. “This situation is driving me crazy… I can’t sleep anymore.” She admits that she blames herself. “In a way, I was naive. But no one helped me, no one told me anything when I was setting up my project.”
Despite everything, there is still one hope: to get one or more last-minute supports. “Because it is out of the question to open without authorization. I am not going to impose any financial sanctions.”
A ray of hope?
In the heart of the Yvelines, Christelle found 220 m² of happiness dedicated to parents and young children. A place thought with love, now on pause.
But on May 21, at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a light appeared among the shadows: he discovered the existence of a 50% subsidy for modernization works.
“It’s perfect for me. But no one has mentioned it to me since I started my research. Honestly, I’m furious.” That information, he points out, was key. “This is the kind of help that could have completely changed the outcome of my case… If I had known about it in time.”
To conclude, Christelle leaves her private complaint about the situation she has experienced: “I am outraged that there is no connection service between public actors. How can we allow project leaders like me to advance alone in such opacity, even though we defend local entrepreneurship all year round? And all this for a few simple bathrooms. For a simple exemption.”