No permit for Volendam bar

No permit for Volendam bar
The Edam-Volendam Council has refused to grant a permit to Jan Veerman to re-open a bar located in the same building where 14 youths died in the Volendam cafe fire two years ago. Veerman was the owner of De Hemel cafe — which erupted into flames on New Years Eve 2001 — and had applied to the town’s municipal council in December for a new horeca — cafe, hotel and restaurant — permit to re-open the Wir Wir Bar.

The council indirectly rejected the application last week, but it was not formally rejected on Monday. Instead the council, reserved the right to officially refuse the application on the grounds public safety. But lawyers representing Veerman said they would proceed with the assumption that the existing permit is still legal. Despite this claim, Veerman cannot re-open the bar because he does not have user’s permit. The Edam-Volendam council is opposed to any entertainment business operating in the complex where the cafe fire occurred for at least the next five years and is expected to vote on the proposal in coming weeks