Debrecen4U
October 31, 2025
Restrictions on opening hours for Great Forest restaurants have been lifted
The previously effective decree restricted five catering establishments, but this has now also been lifted.
At its Thursday meeting, the general assembly amended the Debrecen city decree that came into effect in 2013, which regulates the nighttime opening hours of shops and helps ensure the peace of residents on several points. Antal Szekeres, titular chief clerk, submitted a proposal to the city assembly on this.
Most of the proposed amendments are technical in nature and serve to harmonize the law with higher-level legislation, but there are also some that are more significant.
On the one hand, the mandatory 10-hour night closing in the Sámsoni Road area was lifted, which was obviously introduced at the time because of the former, since-closed, refugee camp.
In addition, based on the previously effective decree, other catering establishments were not allowed to open between midnight and 6.00 a.m. in the area delimited by the Nagyerdei Boulevard.
“Thanks to the developments and infrastructure investments of recent years, tourism is developing dynamically in Debrecen, and the tourism sector occupies an important place in the economy of our city. The Great Forest and its surroundings are one of the central locations for many events and programs. In order to serve the needs of hundreds of thousands of guests arriving in Debrecen annually, it is essential to support the operation of catering establishments free from unnecessary restrictions,” wrote Antal Szekeres in the proposal.
According to the official register, there are currently 28 other catering establishments operating in the affected area. Of these, 23 are located in hotels or buildings with the same topographic number, on the strand, or in cultural facilities or sports facilities with a capacity of more than 300 people. In this way, these catering establishments can remain open without restrictions.
“There are five other catering establishments in the area in question to which the restriction should actually apply. This constitutes unjustified discrimination between catering establishments, and maintaining the current regulation is therefore unnecessary,” stated the titular notary who proposed to lift the restriction.
In addition, Antal Szekeres proposed that the following passage be included in the regulation:
It is prohibited to sell alcoholic beverages in retail stores between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the area bounded by Móricz Zs. Boulevard – Benczúr Gyula Street – Hadházi Street – MGM railway crossing – the service road between the MGM railway crossing and Futó Street – Futó Street – Apafája Street – Futó Street – Cserei Street – Sámsoni Street – Budai Nagy Antal Street – Hétvezér Street – Diószegi Street – Borzán Gáspár Street – Alma Street – Leiningen Street – Pöltenberg Street – Gázvezeték Street – Vértesi Street – Tiszalök Railway Line – Vezér Street – Doberdó Street – Kartács Street – Móricz Zsigmond Boulevard and on both sides of the bordering streets, as well as in the Felsőjózsa and Alsójózsa districts.
The decision was made by the city council. Mayor László Papp, however, promised that if they receive any public signals that require a change in the regulation, they will do so. Mariann Illés-Rácz, a representative of the Civil Forum Debrecen Association, asked why residents were not asked about the issue beforehand. The mayor replied that the current change was proposed taking into account public comments, but as he said, the regulation could be reviewed annually. He particularly highlighted the demand of young people for expanded entertainment options, as well as complaints that some people drink at night in front of certain day-and-night shops, thus disturbing the residents there.
In response to environmental, noise, and light pollution concerns, it was stated that the Nagyerdei park forest has long been a recreational area of Debrecen, but all operators must comply with the laws that apply to the use of this area, and these are enforced by the local government.
Deputy Mayor Diána Széles pointed out that entertainment habits have changed since the coronavirus pandemic, with many people starting at home parties and only going to nightclubs later, but if certain places are required to close at night, those will be at a great disadvantage.
Papp László said the ice is thin in a big city, as the opportunity for entertainment must be provided, but at the same time it must be regulated for the residents’ peace of mind, which is why it is necessary to pay attention to public feedback.
Source:dehir.hu | Photo credit: debrecen.hu
