Al-Harrak to “Express TV”: The Decision to Close Cafés in Kenitra at 2 AM Hurts the Local Economy and Stunts the City’s Growth
Osar Ahmed
Nour Eddine Al-Harrak, President of the National Association of Café and Restaurant Owners in Morocco, described the decision to close cafés and restaurants in Kenitra starting at 2 AM as one of “the worst decisions made by the city council,” asserting that this decision will have serious economic and professional repercussions.
In a statement to “Express TV,” Al-Harrak emphasized that this timing disrupts the city’s nightlife, stating, “Closing at 2 AM effectively means preventing customer entries starting at 1 AM to avoid any issues with the authorities.” He noted that this poses a significant blow to professionals who rely on the summer period to compensate for the annual stagnation experienced in Kenitra.
He added that the decision not only harms professionals but also negatively impacts the local economy and affects the city’s tourism appeal and ability to attract visitors, stressing that the decision “stunts the growth of an emerging city like Kenitra and paralyzes its dynamism.”
Despite the gravity of the situation, Al-Harrak confirmed that the association is not considering any form of protest at this time, explaining: “We are counting on the wisdom of the provincial governor to resolve this situation, and we believe he will not accept the continuation of this decision and its ensuing repercussions.”
Al-Harrak revealed that he held a meeting with the mayor, who also suggested meeting with local authorities to discuss the possibility of extending the closing time to at least 3 AM, which he views as a step in the right direction.
Additionally, the association, according to Al-Harrak, has proposed including an agenda item for extending business hours in an extraordinary council session, aiming to consider the period from mid-June to the end of August as an exceptional time during which the closing hours could be extended, potentially resolving this issue permanently.
