In Saintes, 110 Leroy Merlin employees are still waiting to be able to work in their store

According to our information, new appeals have been filed against Leroy Merlin and its store built in Saint-Georges-des-Coteaux, near Saintes (Charente-Maritime). M. Bricolage and Intermarché, which own several brands nearby, are contesting the latest decision rendered “unanimously” on December 19, 2025 by the CDAC (Departmental Commercial Development Commission) of Charente-Maritime.

That day, local elected officials like the State approved the new building permit filed by Leroy Merlin following the fiasco ratified on November 13, 2025 by the CNAC (National Commercial Development Commission). Meeting in Paris, the members of this CNAC then refused Leroy Merlin his entry ticket to the territory. Problem: the Saint-Georgeais store estimated at nearly 20 million euros was preparing to open. Its 110 employees trained and already at their posts were just waiting for the green light from this same CNAC. Missed.

Reduced parking, removal of goods area…

Since then, elected officials and state representatives have been working to limit the damage and the scope of this setback. To be on target, Leroy Merlin revised its project and completely sacrificed its “goods collection zone” to transform it into a “pro space” reserved only for local professionals and craftsmen. The parking area has also been reduced by 1,150 m2. Insufficient, visibly, in the eyes of the competitors who are contesting Leroy Merlin’s new license. None of these brands wished to comment on this new episode of a file outlined in… 2008.

Attached to the Ministry of the Economy, the General Directorate of Enterprises (DGE) confirms the filing of several appeals against the positive opinion of the CDAC of Charente-Maritime. The DGE does not specify “at this stage” the date of the next CDAC called to decide the case.

President of the Saintes agglomeration, Bruno Drapron hopes for a rapid review “in February” and recalls that the DGE has promised to speed up the pace so as not to leave the 110 employees in the lurch. “I don’t see what could be blamed on Leroy Merlin this time. It is time for this bad series to stop, for us to move on to think about the future of the territory,” insists Bruno Drapron.

The CNAC could possibly decide on February 5 or 19, two “provisional dates” expressly mentioned on its website. Construction in progress, work to be continued.