A fourth coffee shop in Almere opened on Thursday at the Equator in Almere Buiten, after years of discussion in the city council and opposition from local residents. The first customers were able to buy cannabis and hashish from 14:00. Mayor Hein van der Loo had approved the opening in early September after investigations into the location, road safety, and the entrepreneur’s background and integrity.

Residents had raised concerns about parking, cannabis odour and the nearby school and childcare facility. The use of alcohol and drugs in public is now prohibited near the premises, with additional enforcement officers assigned to monitor compliance. The operator is expected to supervise customer parking and arrange for litter to be removed. A consultation group involving the operator, municipality, police and local residents will discuss further measures to prevent nuisance.