When the monthly party lunches at the meeting point at Nytorget are laid out, the seniors are no longer allowed to have a glass of wine.
Now Margareta Lindbergh, 95, wants to see change.
– I think it’s insane, I’ve been fighting for it since January. It is guardianship that we are not allowed to drink a glass of wine.
Light beer in a wine glass. This is what it looks like now when Träffpunkten sets up a party lunch once a month. Before the pandemic, alcohol was allowed at Träffpunkten, which is run by the city of Stockholm. But when the activity was paused and the rules were reviewed, the district administration concluded that it does not comply with the alcohol law, writes Mitt i, which first reported on the subject.
Margaretha, 95, describes Träffpunkten as a living room for the elderly, who otherwise stay at home a lot by themselves. She has reacted strongly to the ban.
– They took away the wine in connection with the pandemic, then they took care, then many who had been at the party lunches stopped, it wasn’t festive anymore, says Margareta Lindbergh.
“Thinks it’s insane”
In January, Margareta submitted a citizens’ proposal to Södermalm’s district council. She has suggested that the seniors should be able to bring their own wine, if it is not allowed to be served – but so far the situation has not changed.
– I think it’s insane, I’ve been fighting for it since January. It is guardianship that we are not allowed to drink a glass of wine.
Margareta only started going to the lunches herself after the ban, but has heard about how the atmosphere was before. She feels that many of the other visitors agree with wanting to have a glass with the meal.
– It will be a different atmosphere, you talk and have a good time. That’s where the party comes in.
Despite the wine ban, it is not an option to stop going to the lunches.
– We go, but we complain every time and think that it would have been nice. Not everyone wants it, but it’s not a compulsion. What I want is that you should be allowed to bring yourself.
Therefore, it is not allowed
In the middle lists a series of reasons from the district administration why it is not possible to serve wine. This includes, among other things, that Träffpunkten is classified as a public place and needs a serving permit, and that the business must be inclusive and health-promoting.
In addition, it would be necessary to train staff and require invitations to a selected group, which the administration believes goes against the organization’s goal of being open to everyone.
The newspaper also highlights that the Moderates and Social Democrats in the city of Stockholm wanted to find a common solution in 2022, but were refused by the district administration.
The issue is now being reviewed again.