Living
11:16 26/01/2021
In what could be one of the most impressive urban regeneration projects Brussels has ever seen, the Avenue de la Toison d Or and the Boulevard de Waterloo in the upper part of the city centre will be redeveloped to form what some are calling ‘the Champs-Elysées Brussels’.
The redevelopment project, presented before the regional elections in 2019, is now entering a new phase, that of the public inquiry which starts this Wednesday, 27 January. The consultation will last for a period of one month.
The project will see a radical transformation of the area stretching from the Porte de Namur to Avenue Louise. This will include wider pavements, bike lanes, reduced traffic, and an end to nearly all surface parking areas.
Belgium
22:56 30/12/2020
Twelve months ago today, we published our annual look ahead: How daily life in Belgium will change in 2020 .
They were simpler times. Life-changing events on the horizon included rising beer prices in cafes, a ban on disposable cups at music festivals, and new parking rules around Forest National during concerts.
Now there are no cafes, no music festivals and no concerts. So, while we ve compiled our usual comprehensive list here of what is (expected) to change in Belgium over the coming year, it comes with a massive coronavirus caveat. All of this could be overtaken by events.
On that cheery note, happy new year, from all of us at The Bulletin.
Belgium
19:33 15/12/2020
The Abercrombie & Fitch flagship store on Boulevard de Waterloo in Brussels is shutting its doors for good on 9 January. The youthful fashion label had been struggling with a loss in customer base for some time, and the coronavirus crisis was the final nail in the coffin.
Abercrombie opened its first shop in Belgium in the famed Wittouck mansion in late 2011. The trendy American label had already made headlines by using a modelling agency to fill its 400 staff positions; all members of staff had to be young, attractive, slender and fit.
The more muscular male members of staff were shirtless on the first day, while others wore shorts as they greeted the crowds gathered outside – despite it being freezing cold. Belgian youth formed long lines outside the outlet on opening day.