Kortrijk extends city-centre alcohol ban and expands it to Grote Markt

Kortrijk is extending its city-centre alcohol ban for another year and adding the Grote Markt, after public drinking problems shifted to the square.

Mayor Ruth Vandenberghe introduced the temporary restrictions in February at locations including Schouwburgplein, the entrance to the Track music centre, the area around the station and the head of Veemarkt. Some zones also prohibited groups of four or more people from gathering.

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As mayor, you would rather not impose such bans, but we will not tolerate public drunkenness and all the nuisance that comes with it.

Police initially focused on raising awareness, but later took firm action against persistent offenders. Authorities drew up about 70 reports. Depending on the circumstances and how cooperative the offenders were, they received a fine or had to carry out community service.

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We also see that the approach is bearing fruit, so it seems sensible to continue for a while longer.

Vandenberghe said mayors do not impose such bans lightly, but added that Kortrijk would not tolerate public drunkenness and the nuisance associated with it. She said the approach appeared to be producing results, making an extension worthwhile.

The mayor said people initially moved to other squares after the restrictions took effect, spreading the problem across the city. After some time, however, the nuisance became concentrated at Grote Markt, prompting its inclusion in the rules. The ban does not apply to the terraces of hospitality businesses within the restricted area.

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In the first months after the measure was introduced, we saw people move to other squares, more spread out across the city. But after a while, the problem became concentrated on Grote Markt.