6 shops in Diest do not comply with closing hours, police checks extra: "Unfair competition with cafés"

In Diest, police will increase checks on shops that remain open past 9 PM, as six businesses in the city center are violating closing hours. The city received complaints from café owners about unfair competition, as customers buy cheaper beer from these late-opening shops and consume it in cafés. Initially, the shop owners will receive warnings, but if violations continue, fines and potential closures may follow.