Bad reputation and need for rehabilitation... Le Cannet acquires a flagship PMU tobacco bar in the city

A bad reputation and a need for rehabilitation have combined to decide the future of the PMU des Arcades tobacco bar in Le Cannet.

In the eyes of the municipality, this "flagship" Rocheville establishment at the corner of Franklin-Roosevelt Avenue did not shine with its standing, and even stood out with the redevelopment of the entire district (the renovated Place Foch, the administrative center, the cinema, the new Vietto parking lot, the gourmet hall, the new buildings, etc.) that began several years ago.

Because this "HQ" of many idle players would not only have generated scratch cards and cigarette breaks on the terrace. "In its immediate vicinity, regular incidents of violence, brawls or drug use and trafficking have been observed..." , it is specified in the deliberation which aims to make the City the owner of all the businesses.

In February 2014, a massive fire even broke out on the top floor of this rental building. And the need for renovation was felt "on every floor," both literally and figuratively.

After long and tough negotiations, the municipality (which already owns some of the apartments) has finally reached an amicable agreement with the operator.

The latter had initially demanded 2.7 million euros to sell his business assets and rental rights. He will ultimately receive 1.8 million euros and will have to vacate the premises by September 30 at the latest.

"The other owners of the accommodation above have been contacted and are also said to be selling," it was clarified at the municipal council meeting.

A new call for tenders for a complete rehabilitation

What's next? A first call for tenders for acquisition and renovation launched in 2024 proved unsuccessful, while the Arcades bar remained open until 11:50 p.m.

The city intends to relaunch another one for the whole (the shops on 275m2, and the six apartments from T1 to T4), which should find more takers.

"The lower-level shops will be decided with the future developer," confided Mayor Yves Pigrenet. "We might keep a tobacco shop and a newsagent, but no more PMU bar!"

The developer will also have to reserve 40% of the housing for social housing, to reduce the municipal shortage in this area .

The City also takes over "The Three Columns"

Meanwhile, all of Cannettan's elected officials have voted in favor of this dual operation. In the same area, at number 61 Franklin-Roosevelt Avenue, the City has exercised its right of pre-emption to acquire the former Les Trois Colonnes restaurant (with a cellar and basement apartment) for €500,000 (compared to the €525,000 valued by the Domaines), in order to create a strategic land reserve in this rapidly evolving neighborhood.

"Everyone will miss us..."

It's unclear whether he'll have one last drink for the road... But Patrick Talon will close the establishment he took over with his family four years ago "without remorse or regret," as the song goes.

The amicable agreement with the City? "It's not a good or bad operation, it's just that at some point, we had to find a smart solution for everyone," emphasizes the owner of the Arcades brasserie and tobacco bar, who, in the past, has already operated gas stations and set up a luxury boat company in the Antilles. I'm a developer, and the Arcades has become one of the most successful businesses in the 06 department. It was a great four-year experience, which brought in a lot of customers. It's now up to the City to find a good solution and the right businesses for the future..."

And don't tell him about the insecurity generated by his bar-tabac. Patrick Talon refuses to accept that.

"No serious excesses within my establishment"

"There has been no serious mishap within my establishment, and customs checks have always earned us praise ," he says, before adding: "And then, there was insecurity before us because we weren't the ones who created this 'social mix' that has degraded the neighborhood! But the truth is that our establishment is right in the middle of an ongoing development, in which we will nevertheless have participated."

Except that the end of his case doesn't seem to be settling smoothly. With a clause that requires him not to settle in the town for five years, within a ten-kilometer radius of the bar-tabac.

"Ah ah, I've calculated, it takes me as far as the Lérins Islands ," Patrick Talon prefers to laugh. "The City is probably afraid that my way of managing things will compete with them, that's normal. But I'm going to leave, far away, and you'll see, everyone in the area will miss us..."

Except the municipal police, perhaps...