Mechelen, Belgium – Event organizers in Mechelen are voicing their concerns following the city's announcement of the planned closure of the Nekkerhal, an essential venue for large-scale events, by the year 2032. The decision has been met with widespread dismay, as it marks a significant change in the local cultural and events landscape, necessitating the search for alternative venues for their gatherings.

The Nekkerhal, known for its 18,000 square meters of space, has been a pivotal site for numerous popular events, including the renowned BRAS flea markets and the annual Jumping Mechelen equestrian competition.

Gunter Van Lent, chairman of Jumping Mechelen, commented on the challenge of finding a comparable venue, stating, "That is not easy, just find a hall of 18,000 square meters to organize a Jumping."

In its announcement, the city of Mechelen detailed several ambitious plans for the coming years, with the closure of Nekkerhal standing out as a critical aspect.

Since taking over the venue in 2015, the event management company Easyfaires has expanded the number of events held at the Nekkerhal from 16 annually to approximately 50.

Alain D’Haese, COO of Easyfaires, acknowledged the hall’s importance, emphasizing, "We have done our utmost.

The hall has historically served as a focal point for events in the region." The closure is not only seen as a personal loss for organizers but as a blow to the broader community that relies on these events for cultural engagement and economic activity.

Ivo Van Itterbeek, co-organizer of the BRAS flea market and director of the events company Daedalus, expressed his shock at the closure, noting, "The Nekkerhal is a hall with good occupancy.

I am completely taken aback.

There have been years when we spent half of our weekends in the Nekkerhal with our events.

It’s a shame when such an iconic hall disappears."

Event organizers also raised concerns regarding the hall’s current condition, suggesting that its decline might have played a role in the decision to close.

Van Lent reflected on this, stating, "I think it was a matter of making big expenses or selling the hall.

The city is now choosing not to make those expenses." Easyfaires confirmed that the Nekkerhal is not meeting current standards and requires substantial renovations.

Despite these challenges, Van Lent expressed hope that the event can continue in Mechelen, stating, "Fortunately, 2032 is still a long way off.

In the meantime, we have been in the Nekkerhal for 42 years; hopefully, we can still hold our 50th edition there.

We also want to stay in Mechelen, so hopefully alternatives will come our way."

As the city transitions towards this significant change, local event planners are facing the pressing need to identify alternative locations that can accommodate their large gatherings.

The impact of the Nekkerhal's closure is anticipated to extend beyond just the availability of venue space, potentially disrupting the local economy and Mechelen’s reputation as an event destination.

The demand for large event spaces is expected to increase, likely leading to higher costs and scheduling conflicts as organizers seek new venues for their events.