Two establishments in Antwerp-North will be temporarily closed. The closure for the business in Van Kerckhovenstraat will last two months, and for the one at Sint-Jansplein, one month. A third establishment at Sint-Jansplein, already judicially sealed, will face additional conditions.
On August 21, 2026, police, the city of Antwerp, Customs and Excise, and Social Welfare Supervision conducted a control in Antwerp-North, an area where extra focus is placed on safety and liveability.
In the establishment in Van Kerckhovenstraat, serious hygiene problems were found. An enclosed toilet area contained waste bags, insects, and droppings. Expired products, items without proper labeling, and cigarettes without fiscal stamps were also discovered. The establishment, previously closed for violence, hygiene issues, and terrace violations, will now be shut for two months. The operator must rectify all deficiencies before reopening.
At Sint-Jansplein, drugs (12 grams of cannabis and 17 grams of hashish) and 2,350 euros in cash were seized. Additionally, 45 pairs of shoeboxes and several sunglasses were found, their origin under investigation. Several individuals without legal residency were present, including one using the operator's ID card for gambling machines. Significant hygiene and safety issues were noted, such as a locked emergency exit, missing emergency lighting, suspected mouse droppings, dirty refrigerator seals, and cigarette butts. The establishment also operated a terrace without a permit and was immediately sealed. The mayor has now imposed a one-month administrative closure, until November 5, 2026. A previous exemption from closing hours has been revoked; the establishment must close by 1:00 AM at the latest.
Another establishment at Sint-Jansplein, known for nuisance, noise complaints, and violence, will face additional conditions. Following an incident on February 16, 2026, where a victim was assaulted with an iron bar, the business was judicially sealed. The operator must implement measures to minimize noise pollution and comply with administrative obligations regarding camera surveillance, smoking legislation, hygiene, food safety, gambling, and waste management. The exemption from closing hours has also been revoked for this establishment, requiring closure by 1:00 AM.
