The popular seaside resort of Blankenberge (West Flanders) wants to tackle spelling mistakes at catering establishments on the seafront. Several sidewalk signs contain striking errors. Many proprietors are of foreign origin and lack a sufficient command of Dutch.
For example, you can order a “gehaaktbal in tomato sauce” (crocheted ball in tomato sauce) or “stofvlees” (dust meat). Photos of these mistakes receive hundreds of likes and comments on social media, but the Blankenberge city cabinet can’t see the joke and has decided to take action.
‘These annoying spelling mistakes are not good for anyone. They don't give the town a good image, and it’s even worse for the restaurants in question,’ says Benny Herpoel (Flemish nationalist N-VA), alderman for Small Businesses and Local Economy. The town council has been working on improving the image of the seafront for some time now.
Correcting spelling mistakes is not within the remit of a city council. Nevertheless, it is better for the local hospitality industry and the city that they are avoided, Herpoel says.
The city is counting on the liaison officer, who recently started assisting businesses on the seafront. Many of these proprietors are of foreign origin and do not have a sufficient command of Dutch. ‘We will ask our liaison officer to talk to these people and point out the mistakes to them,’ says Herpoel. ‘Looking up the correct translation: that can't be so difficult, can it?’
The city council is currently working on new regulations for advertising at catering establishments. ‘We are looking into whether we can at least ask them to write their menus in Dutch. We also want less advertising on façades and terraces,’ Herpoel continues.
Sidewalk signs are also a bone of contention. ‘Each catering establishment is allowed to operate only one sign,’ says Herpoel. ‘A few weeks ago, we organised a big inspection. Thirty-one violations were recorded in relation to the use of public space.’