To:

**The Mayor of Ixelles**

**The Municipal Authorities Responsible for Local Commerce and Public Safety**

**Residents and Supporters of a Vibrant, Inclusive Brussels**

 

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We, the undersigned, call for the immediate reconsideration and reversal of the decision ordering the **closure of Pizzeria *Spuntino* on Thursday nights**. We make this request with respect, urgency, and a sincere belief that the measure is disproportionate, inequitable, and harmful to the community and local commerce.

 

## **Why Spuntino Matters**

 

For many years, **Place de Luxembourg** has been a cherished meeting point for people from the European Parliament, the international community, and residents of Brussels. Among the pubs and cafés of the neighbourhood, **Spuntino has become a true institution**—not only for the Italian community but for everyone who gathers on Thursday evenings to socialize, enjoy good food, and celebrate the multicultural spirit of our city.

 

In just four years, Spuntino has become a familiar, welcoming space and a key contributor to the social and cultural life of Ixelles.

 

## **Efforts Made to Address Concerns**

 

We acknowledge the initial concerns raised about the number of people gathering outside the establishment and the impact on sidewalk circulation. However, the owner of Spuntino has shown **exceptional responsibility, cooperation, and goodwill** to address these issues:

 

* **Music was voluntarily stopped at 10 PM** and the business **closed at 11 PM**, even though it previously remained open until 2 AM.

* **Barriers were installed** to keep patrons safely on the sidewalk and away from the street.

* In response to concerns about pedestrian access, the owner **hired stewards** to maintain a passageway and ensure respectful crowd behaviour.

* When additional adjustments were requested, Spuntino created a **designated pedestrian corridor** using more barriers—an arrangement that **police confirmed as effective** in their reports.

 

Despite the fact that *all* problems were addressed with constructive and effective solutions, and despite positive feedback from the authorities monitoring the situation on the ground, the mayor nevertheless ordered **the full closure of Spuntino from 4 PM to 2 AM on Thursday nights until 16 January.**

 

## **Unequal and Unfair Treatment**

 

One of the most troubling aspects of this decision is that **Spuntino is the *only* establishment in the area required to close**, even though all neighbouring pubs and bars are allowed to remain open and **play loud music until 3 AM**.

 

This unequal treatment raises serious concerns about fairness, proportionality, and consistent application of local regulations. It is difficult to justify why a business that has complied with every request—often going above and beyond—is singled out for the harshest possible measure while surrounding establishments operate at full capacity without similar restrictions.

 

## **Why This Decision Is Harmful**

 

* It **disproportionately punishes** a responsible local business that has shown exemplary cooperation.

* It **jeopardizes jobs**, business stability, and the livelihoods of those who work at Spuntino.

* It **damages the community**, depriving residents and visitors of a beloved gathering place.

* It **undermines trust** between local authorities and entrepreneurs who strive to collaborate in good faith.

 

## **Our Request**

 

We respectfully and urgently ask the Mayor of Ixelles and the competent authorities to:

 

1. **Lift the Thursday-night closure order imposed on Spuntino**, and

2. **Engage in constructive dialogue** with the owner to maintain or further refine the already successful measures in place to ensure safety and pedestrian circulation.

 

We firmly believe that **public safety, pedestrian comfort, and the vibrant social life of Ixelles can coexist**, as demonstrated by the solutions already implemented by Spuntino and validated by police observations.

 

## **A Call for Fairness and Community Support**

 

We stand with Spuntino—its staff, its customers, and the diverse community it serves. We call upon all who value fairness, cultural life, and responsible entrepreneurship in Brussels to join us in signing this petition.

 

**Let us restore balance, uphold fairness, and ensure that Spuntino can reopen on Thursday nights—safely, responsibly, and in the spirit of the welcoming Brussels we believe in.**