New Regulations for Daytime and Delivery Catering in Groningen’s City Centre (Effective 2026)
Stricter rules for hospitality businesses to maintain balance, reduce congestion, and ensure fair competition in Groningen’s city centre.
Balancing Retail and Hospitality in Groningen’s City Center
The city centre of Groningen has undergone significant changes in recent years. More retail spaces have been converted into daytime hospitality establishments, and the number of delivery-focused catering businesses has increased. While this contributes to the city’s vibrancy, concerns have arisen about maintaining a balanced retail environment and preventing an oversaturation of hospitality businesses.
To address these concerns, the Groningen municipal council has proposed a new policy aimed at better regulating daytime and delivery catering businesses. This policy, which includes the introduction of two new hospitality categories—‘Retail-Supportive Hospitality’ and ‘Fast Service Hospitality’—will be incorporated into the revised Environmental Plan for the city and is set to be implemented in 2026.
New Categorization of Hospitality Businesses
Under the proposed policy, the broad definition of ‘daytime hospitality’ will be replaced with two distinct categories:
Retail-Supportive Hospitality (Horeca 1A): Businesses such as cafés, bakeries, ice cream parlours, and lunchrooms that primarily serve visitors to retail areas. These establishments align with the city’s shopping hours and enhance the customer experience.
Fast Service Hospitality (Horeca 1B): Businesses that mainly offer fast food or counter services, such as snack bars, shawarma shops, and grill rooms. These establishments often operate beyond standard retail hours and may include a strong delivery component.
Other hospitality categories, such as restaurants, cafés, nightclubs, and hotels, will remain unchanged.
Stronger Regulation for Delivery-Focused Businesses
One of the primary issues with the rise of delivery-focused catering businesses has been the increase in delivery vehicle congestion, particularly in public spaces. Under the new policy:
Businesses classified as Retail-Supportive Hospitality (1A) will be required to submit a notification before opening or expanding. This ensures compliance with basic regulations without imposing a lengthy approval process.
Fast Service Hospitality (1B) businesses will require a permit. The municipality will assess applications based on factors such as impact on the retail environment, street aesthetics, residential quality, and traffic conditions. Additionally, delivery businesses will be limited to parking a maximum of two delivery vehicles in public spaces, with additional vehicles required to be stored indoors.
Ensuring a Fair Playing Field
The municipality aims to protect small retailers and maintain a diverse city centre. Unchecked expansion of hospitality businesses could lead to a monoculture, reducing the variety of retail options available. The proposed changes will help:
Preserve the unique character of Groningen’s city centre.
Ensure fair competition between retailers and hospitality businesses.
Reduce issues related to delivery congestion and noise pollution.
Implications for Existing Businesses
Businesses that are already legally established will not be required to obtain new permits under the revised policy. However, any new businesses or expansions will need to comply with the updated regulations. The municipality is conducting an inventory of existing hospitality businesses to facilitate a smooth transition.
Next Steps
The policy proposal will be integrated into the revised Environmental Plan, with implementation expected in 2026. The municipality will continue engaging with local business owners and residents to ensure a balanced and well-regulated hospitality landscape.