Claudia Guarino
Livorno «We already had to work in the degradation since in the morning we found waste, syringes, blood and even knives outside. Then, when the Municipality told me to remove a hood, on which it had previously given a positive opinion, I decided to say enough, I’m closing.” Thus ends the era of Bottini Fusion on Viale Caprera. With the entrepreneur Simone Gonnelli who returns the keys to the civic building. For now ideally but “we are dismantling everything” so soon also concretely. He himself explains why.
«Too much degradation»
Meanwhile, it must be said that those adjacent to the City Museum are spaces owned by the Municipality whose management is entrusted to third parties via tender. «I manage Bottini fusion (through a company, ed) since 2018 – explains Gonnelli – and over time the problems began». The context, meanwhile. Or rather, specifically, vandalism and theft. “In the morning we find everything from bottles to blood on the street.” And then, the attacks carried out by the thieves, who repeatedly broke one of the windows of the place – usually with the stone of the umbrella – and then raided the inside, most of the time targeting the cash register. «We have suffered four over time – explains the entrepreneur – once we even found a shotgun shell outside the premises». Finally, what according to Gonnelli was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
«Enough, I’m closing»
«They told us to remove an internal hood that would not have respected some extraction parameters. Even though some time ago we had permission to install it that way there. I would like to know how I can work without a hood. Furthermore, they also denied us public land.” For this reason “the employee contract ended on 30 April and now we are dismantling everything”. Furthermore, some workers, preferring to remain anonymous, intervene on the issue by talking about less than optimal working relationships between employer and employees, making references to the application of the contract. A question that amazes Gonnelli. «It’s not possible – he says – we have always had relaxed and calm relationships». The fact is that, disputes aside, what is certain is that Bottini Fusion Made in Gonnelli has officially closed its shutters.
“Sin”
«It’s a shame – says the entrepreneur – because we had spent money and energy on this project. But we couldn’t do otherwise, given the situation that was created.” Now we need to understand what will happen with the Municipality’s fund. In all likelihood we are moving towards a new tender even if, concludes Gonnelli, «they complained to me about the lack of notice, which they say should have been six months. But there were no conditions to continue. And that’s what my lawyer also claims.” L
