Coffeeshop to be converted into fish restaurant in Haarlem, tolerance permit not yet finalized

A judge has ruled that the owner of a coffee shop in the Vijfhoek district of Haarlem may proceed with the renovation of a former fish restaurant located at the Waarderpolder industrial estate. The business owner purchased the new property in 2023 to address long-standing complaints from local residents regarding disturbances caused by the current city center location on Doelstraat. The municipality has already issued an environmental permit, as well as an operating license and a tolerance permit, to facilitate the transition.

However, the move faces strong opposition from local business owners at the Waarderpolder site, including the Industriekring Haarlem, who fear increased nuisance and parking issues. While the court allowed the structural renovations to proceed, it noted that the legal battle concerning the operating and tolerance permits remains unresolved. These entities argue that a coffee shop is unsuitable for an industrial area. The establishment will only be permitted to open its new doors once the existing shop in the city center has permanently ceased operations.