2023-11-28 19:37:23
Since October 31, customers who wanted to open the doors of the De Vier Bollekes store, located in Heist-op-den-Berg (Antwerp), found themselves in front of an unusual sign. “Closed due to exceptional circumstances. » A message which remained displayed for more than three weeks and which had cause for concern among regulars. “We have had this store for 22 years. In all these years, we have never been closed for more than a week,” Peter Van de Nouweland told Nieuwsblad.
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However, his chocolate, candy and sweets shop that he runs with his wife Christel did not open between October 31 and November 22. The reason ? A phonecall. “That day, we were informed that the store was going to be closed,” explains the Antwerp resident. His wife, managing director of the store, had been declared bankrupt. “But we knew nothing about it,” the couple insists.
Not even 500 euros
It was in reality an invoice of just under 500 euros which had not been recorded in their balance sheet which had terrible consequences for Peter and Christel. Even if it never reached them, it had immediate effects. “We were able to clean the store, hang the sign and then… we could no longer enter,” they told the Flemish newspaper. Store closed, new locks, car seized, bank card handed over… A real bankruptcy. “We had nothing left. Not even a telephone while we were preparing our store for Saint Nicholas Day. »
An endless ordeal, a slow agony that will last three weeks. The appeal filed by their lawyer to protest the bankruptcy ultimately resulted in a judgment in their favor. “We learned that the bankruptcy was not justified,” explains Peter. “It was canceled, which rarely happens. »
Phew of relief
A sigh of relief for the couple which, however, does not erase the three long weeks of closure. “The consequences are very serious. In November and December, we normally achieve half of our annual turnover…”
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