A bustling street market is one of the best signs of a lively local economy. But now in Leiden, one of country’s oldest and most popular outdoor markets has run afoul of the local fire department – because it is such a success.

Last month the mayor told stallholders officials would soon start enforcing fire department rules which say there should be 3.5 metres of open space in front of the stalls – the minimal amount of room needed for a crew to put out a potential fire in the centuries-old buildings surrounding the market.

What might seem like a reasonable demand has been met with lots of objections particularly from fish stall owners along a particularly narrow stretch. They say it is impossible to clear a full 3.5 metres of room between their stalls and a row of shops and cafes across the street and that relocating could cost them tons of business.

“If you move just a little bit, you will lose 85% of your customers,” Ron Vergunst, a spokesperson for the market’s advertising committee, told the Leidsch Dagblad.

Other dangerous corners of Leiden

Vergunst argues the fire department should invest in new equipment and vehicles like a fire boat that will help their crews better navigate both the market and narrow spaces elsewhere around Leiden’s historic city centre.

André Vanhaelen, a spokesperson for Leiden mayor Peter van der Velden, told Dutch News local officials have already looked into this. “A fire boat only offers a solution for extinguishing a fire, not for evacuating the top floors of a building,’ he said.

Meanwhile, long-time stall operators noted that while there hadn’t been a fire in the market for at least 50 years, it’s also become more crowded. Stalls have become larger. So have the terraces of cafes that share the same spaces.

The controversy surrounding the fire regulations are one of several recent headaches for the market, which dates back over 900 years. The company tasked with setting up stalls every weekend abruptly quit last year after its workers became frustrated with the city’s reluctance to move bicycles, cars, and other obstructions.

During the pandemic, it was relocated and a few vendors say their businesses still haven’t fully recovered. There’s also been ongoing frustrations with finding someone to serve as a sufficient moderator between city officials and market operators.

As for concerns over fire safety, Vanhaelen noted city officials aren’t just targeting the market stalls.

“The solution for a safe and accessible market lies in the total use of the market site,” he said. “We therefore look not only at the stalls, but also at terraces, street furniture, and other factors. It’s important to look for a safe solution together with all users of the area.”

Officials have promised to go public with their new plan for the market before the end of this month.