Soon the end of “dark stores” in France?

A law could soon prohibit the establishment of ” dark blinds », these premises dedicated to the preparation of deliveries which are considered as businesses, in certain areas. A new regulatory text could require them to be considered warehouses. As such, they will not be able to establish themselves anywhere, especially in urban areas.

The government wants to close the dark blinds »

A meeting about dark blinds » and « dark kitchens took place this Tuesday, September 6 at the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, in Paris. This consultation brought together several communities that are demanding a regulation to make disappear the “ dark blinds ». For this, the communities ask that they be recognized as ” warehouses “. If a regulatory text were to emerge in this direction, the premises of Gorillas, GoPuff or Flink, which are installed in Paris in unauthorized places, could be threatened with closure.

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Two ministers were present during this consultation: the Minister Delegate for SMEs, Trade, Crafts and Tourism Olivia Grégoire, and the Minister Delegate for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein. Together, they wanted to support local authorities by making them understand that they were going to regulate the establishment of ” dark blinds ” in the towns, in order to avoid the nuisances they cause to residents and businesses. These premises will therefore probably soon be recognized as warehouses and this changes everything for the companies that operate them.

Heavy fines for companies that do not play the game

In the coming weeks, a law will have to clarify all this. Most of ” dark blinds » located in town or on the outskirts will be illegal because, as warehouses, they will not respect the local urban plan (ENJOYED). According to members of the government, this text will be a tool made available to mayors to regulate the activity of operators “. The ” dark blinds » concerned will be subject to a fine of 500 euros per day and 25,000 euros per room, as long as they have not closed.

To be legal, the brands concerned must fall back on premises eligible for urban logistics centers. In Paris alone, there are a hundred dark blinds who could be affected by this regulatory change. As Emmanuel Grégoire, Deputy Mayor of Paris, explains, ” so far, the sector has enjoyed virtual impunity for violations of the urban planning code due to the backlog of courts “. This should change in the coming months.