Brussels terror alert cost Ancienne Belgique €130,000

The damage in lost revenue by the increased terror alert to the highest level in Brussels last week has risen to as much as €130,000 for the Ancienne Belgique (AB). The concert venue reopened on Monday for a concert by Trixie Whitley, yet 20% of the ticket holders did not show up.

The AB closed for nine days following the 13 November terror attacks in Paris, and in particular the Bataclan concert hall. During that period, the AB had to cancel 22 events, only eight of which were rescheduled. The closure has cost the AB €130,000, “and that's not even factoring in the future,” AB director Dirk De Clippeleir told brusselnieuws.be.

The loss does not present any immediate problems for the AB, however, De Clippeleir says. "We are a healthy organisation. We should be able to make up for this over the next few years."