rssNov 3, 2026, 15:14

Oldest Haarlem timber merchant threatened with closure due to zero-emission zone

Bremer's Houthandel, a historic business in Haarlem, faces closure because the city's new emission-free zone will restrict the large diesel trucks needed for timber deliveries by 2028. The owner is currently in a court-ordered mediation process with the municipality to seek a solution or potential relocation assistance.

Bremer's Houthandel, a 152-year-old family business in Haarlem, is facing an existential threat due to the municipal implementation of an emission-free zone. Starting in 2028, the regulation will ban diesel-powered heavy vehicles from entering the area, which the current owner, Mijndert de Boer, argues makes it impossible to receive large timber deliveries that cannot be transported by electric vehicles. The company is currently involved in a mediation process ordered by a judge after De Boer challenged the municipal policy in court.

Moving the business to an industrial zone like Waarderpolder is estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of euros due to the complexity of relocating industrial machinery. While De Boer expresses a willingness to relocate if the city provides a viable solution, he currently struggles with the lack of exemptions for his suppliers. The shop, which has historical ties to the local timber trade, remains in limbo as the city has yet to provide a definitive resolution regarding the restrictive environmental zoning.

Politics Economy Business Haarlem Netherlands

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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