De Pomp, an initiative of Kimmarah Beeuwkes, Joep de Jong, Marlou Kleijnen and Danny Simon, does not have to close its doors until 2025. The catering business in the former gas station on Croeselaan should actually close this year, but it was recently agreed ‘after three years of talking, pleading and hoping’ that this will only have to happen a year later. The owners and the neighborhood, among others, are very happy with this.
How does it feel to be able to stay another year?
“An extra year is fantastic, but it doesn’t give enough perspective. Of course we would like to stay here longer, but we also knew in advance that this would be a temporary location. Initially for five years, unfortunately with corona in between. But no one could do anything about that. The fact that we have now been given an extra year is actually more than was agreed.”
How did the neighborhood react?
“We received an abundance of happy responses, including from former staff and other acquaintances. That also has to do with the fact that we give a lot back to each other. Our guests give us a lot. There are people who come here for lunch three times a week, for example. And we make a major contribution to the neighborhood party and offer space for people with ideas.”
What will eventually happen to this place?
“We all always knew that this was a place where further development would eventually take place. It remains to be seen what exactly will be built here. We fight together with local residents for something that is as neighborhood-related as possible. It is primarily a moral issue that we want to do something about. In general, we must prevent a huge residential tower from being built in beautiful places that are important for a neighborhood and that provide connections, purely because of money and construction agreements. The municipality is also trying to prevent that in this case, but unfortunately it concerns agreements that were made fifteen years ago. It was a different world then.”
Will things change in the near future?
“We continue with our own story. We have created a place that involves ownership by more people than just ourselves, such as the municipality and the neighborhood. In recent years, the Pump has also been regularly used for social purposes, without a commercial purpose. Several interests come together in this place.”
Did De Pomp turn out as you had hoped?
“Six years ago we had a thousand ideas. Some of these were different from where we are now or were not feasible at all. We are always on the move, but our story is solid: a catering venue that is an important part of the neighborhood. The Pump has exceeded my expectations. When I look around on a weekday and see how many people pass by and think all the activities and ideas have already been implemented, I am very proud of that.”
What kind of activities are you thinking of?
“We had a silent bingo disco during corona. That all had to be done remotely, but that was a lot of fun. Everyone was happy. But I also think about smaller things, such as the elderly who come to eat every week through Eet met je Hart. This foundation is committed to helping lonely elderly people. Or the time children came into the kitchen to bake cakes for the neighborhood party with the chef.”
Will De Pomp return to a new location?
“We would find it a great shame if the story of De Pomp ends. We are therefore looking for another, permanent location. Preferably here in the Dichterswijk, of course.”
Where can you enjoy culinary delights in Utrecht?
“That is at SAAR on the Catharijnesingel. Not only I like to come there, but also all my partners and various employees. We think that is a very nice place. It’s a place you keep going back to. The owners of SAAR also visit us regularly.”
What is Utrecht missing?
“I would like it if there were more entertainment options. I think Utrecht is a beautiful city, but sometimes it is also secretly becoming a bit of a sleeping city. TivoliVredenburg is a beautiful place, but the old Tivoli on the Oudegracht and EKKO are pearls in the city. In such places, with different parties, you can discover yourself as a young adult. A city needs that. The municipality can sometimes be a bit too cautious in this regard. There are certainly places being added, such as the NAR and KABUL à GoGo, but not really close or in the city. Dare to transform a building there into a club, instead of another boutique hotel.”
What was the best performance you ever saw in Utrecht?
“Those are the performances during the Smartlokken festival. I always think that is such a wonderful event. I have seen countless great performances there.”
Utrecht is…
“… the city we want to contribute to.”
The former gas station along Croeselaan stood empty for about ten years. The building was a thorn in the side of the residents. In 2018, local residents were allowed to vote on a number of ideas. Ultimately, the majority chose De Pomp. De Pomp opened its doors in April 2019, with the agreement that they could stay there for five years. In 2021, De Pomp started a petition to show that the business is an important part of the neighborhood and should therefore stay longer. That petition was signed more than 2,000 times. Ultimately, the site should become part of Ringpark Dichterswijk.
Tags: Pomp risen expectations
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