King’s Day Emmen: Noorderstraat shops still open and shuttle buses at De Oude Meerdijk

The shops on the east side of Noorderstraat in Emmen are allowed to open on King’s Day. And if you cannot find a parking spot in or near the center during this holiday, you can go to the FC Emmen stadium. From there, visitors can take a shuttle bus to the city center.

These are two organizational announcements that visitors heard today at the town hall in Emmen. The municipality of Emmen held an information afternoon for residents and entrepreneurs in the center in the Bridge Building.

The visit of the king and his family has serious consequences for daily affairs. For example, all roads in the city center will be closed during the royal visit and entrepreneurs and city center residents will have to accept the inconvenience for a while.

Some of the questions were therefore about this, the police said. “Many people also wondered whether they could stand on their balcony,” says general police commander Rob Vos of the Large-Scale and Special Operations Staff (SGBO).

“People understood that this was not allowed, but that is not a problem,” he continues. Questions were also asked about the extra security cameras in the center during King’s Day, when 60,000 visitors are expected. According to Vos, 33 cameras will be placed along the route. “If an incident occurs, we can quickly look back and take targeted action.”

Another misunderstanding turned out to be the previously announced announcement that the shops along the east side of Noorderstraat must close during the king’s visit due to the crush barriers in the narrow street. But this turns out not to be true. “All shops and catering establishments can open as usual. Terraces must be removed.” It was initially placed on the King’s Day website by mistake.

Given the expected massive attendance, the municipality is trying to manage visitor flows. If you come by car, you can park it at the Kinepolis cinema, Wildlands, near the former Fletcherhotel (P-Oost) and on the Schapenveenweg. If these locations are in danger of becoming full, you can switch to De Oude Meerdijk stadium.

From there, shuttle buses are deployed towards the center of Emmen. Extra trains are also used: from Zwolle there are not two, but three trains per hour on King’s Day. The trains will be equipped with two extra wagons (from four to six). Additional bicycle parking spaces will be added on the north and south edges of the center.

For those who fear that the emergency services will not be able to find their way through the center: this has also been taken into account. According to Saskia Molema of the Medical Assistance Organization in the Region (GHOR), two ambulances are on standby during the king’s tour. Just like four ambulance bikes who can provide first professional care when necessary. Both along the route and at someone’s home.

Mayor Eric van Oosterhout also commutes continuously from one to the other. “Yes, parking is still an issue here,” he laughs. But generally speaking, his impression is positive. Lots of enthusiasm.

On King’s Day itself, he hopes that the typical Drenthe naoberschap atmosphere comes across well for the many whirring cameras. “Because the center of Emmen will soon be the living room of the Netherlands for two hours. You can’t get better promotion.”

For most visitors to the information afternoon, the positive seems to predominate. “Oh, inconvenience, it’s only for a few hours,” said Renate Siekman, who came to investigate with her husband Mark. “It doesn’t bother us, because we are in the center along the route.”

Martha Goeree-Kamphuis has to work in the store that Saturday, in the heart of Emmen. But she sees no reason to complain. “No, it’s great that this is happening in Emmen. Goeree-Kamphuis also lives in the center. “Normally I always go by bike, but now I just walk.”

Mia Zondag sits ringside during King’s Day. She lives near Noorderplein, the place where the king and his family will arrive. She hopes to catch a glimpse from her balcony.

“Yes, I am a fan,” she laughs. Especially from Máxima and the princesses. She has now received confirmation that she can simply stand on the balcony. And her green ivy can also stay, she now knows. And she is happy with that. Security for everything.