Less than a month after gay café Lollipop opened a corona test street in the center of Tilburg, it was closed again. Lollipop’s owners faced threats and negative reactions from corona deniers on social media. In combination with the enormous competition from the free test street of the GGD, this is reason for initiator Fransjan Marijnissen to stop.
Because of the corona crisis, not a cent has been earned in the hospitality industry for months, the owners of café Lollipop decided to open an attractive commercial test street a few doors away. The project was supported by Herman de Blijker’s SBS television program ‘Crisis in de tent’.
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At the opening less than a month ago, the catering men were still very enthusiastic. They wanted to distinguish themselves from other test streets with atmospheric lighting and even a DJ. But on social media it rained negative reactions and there were even threats.
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“People who do not believe in the corona virus threatened on social media to bombard the test center with fireworks,” says Fransjan. “A lot of people are done with corona and therefore reacted very negatively. The Lollipop wants us on the vaccine poison,” was a frequently heard response.
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On their website let the men know that they have decided to close the test street in consultation with SBS. They thank everyone for their cooperation. They write that SBS has fortunately not let them down and comes with a nice alternative, which can be seen on television at the end of January.
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The Lollipop did not have a penny left on the test street, which was stopped last weekend. “We had a flying start, but then it collapsed”, says Fransjan. Attempts to get companies to use the test lane have failed.
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Meanwhile, Fransjan sees the future of the Lollipop gloomy. He hopes for more support from the government. But above all, he hopes that Pink Monday will continue this year. “That is a quarter of our annual turnover. If that does not continue this year, then I no longer see it.” And the hope that carnival could still be celebrated on a small scale has already disappeared.
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