Amsterdam's red light district is changing

[George47Amsterdam]

As a regular visitor to Amsterdam I thought I would share some information with you.
As part of project 1012 (named after the postcode of central Amsterdam) several red light windows are due to close. The authorities want to reduce the size of the district and confine it to a more controllable area along the Oudezijds Achterburgwal canal and immediately surrounding streets. The reason for this is to revitalise the whole centre of Amsterdam, to cut down on the criminal activities like trafficking of women etc and encourage higher quality businesses.
The ones due to close are near the Oude Kerk on the streets of Sint Annendwarsstraat, Sint Annenstraat, Dollebegijnensteeg, Trompettersteeg, Goldbergersteeg, Bethlemsteeg, Enge kerksteeg as well as on Oudekerksplein and in La vie en Rose.
15 windows in these locations have already closed in 2012. However the owners were permitted to swap them with some which had been closed previously in 2007/8 under the BIBOB legalisation (a demand that owners are honest about all financial activities). The map extract below shows these swaps.

Whether any more swapping takes place is unclear at this time. Many people believe it will be tough for the authorities to force the remaining closures. They can't really afford to buy out the owners and they face long court battles to chuck them out.


The sad sight of a closed window on Sint Annendwarsstraat.

Even if the closures happen I still believe the district will be worth a visit. With fewer windows I believe those currently occupied by the less popular and less attractive women (north east end of Oudezijds Achterburgwal for example) will get pushed out. These will be replaced by the high earning prettier girls from Eastern Europe. I have already heard of pimps paying a few thousand Euros to other pimps for their girl's window location.
I guess it will mean higher prices but that was always going to happen any way. It's been 50 Euros now for over 10 years so the girls certainly deserve a pay rise.
Other changes supposedly taking place from the start of 2013 are a new minimum age of 21 and rules stating girls can only work a single shift between 11am and 2am. It's too early for me to confirm these yet but I will be in the city next week and will certainly find out.
George.

[Real Punter]

So many changes in Dam right now with the coffee shop situation and all.

[Lixies]

Couldn't agree more about a pay rise required for the girls. Now on half the rate of a motor mechanic and doesn't look to be changing any-time soon.

[George47Amsterdam]

Couldn't agree more about a pay rise required for the girls. Now on half the rate of a motor mechanic and doesn't look to be changing any-time soon.

I think it might be. Recent visitors report that an increasing number won't accept less than 100 Euros now and others are charging for basic extras whereas previously they didn't. The problem they face though is getting everyone to change together. If you are working next to a girl who raises her price you'd be tempted to keep yours low since you are likely to get more trade.
In 2001 the introduction of the Euro meant a very natural change from 50 Guilders S or F to 50 Euros S and F representing a 10% increase when taking into account the session lengths- 10mins to 20mins (approx) and change from S or F to S and F.

[George47Amsterdam]

Other changes supposedly taking place from the start of 2013 are a new minimum age of 21 and rules stating girls can only work a single shift between 11am and 2am. It's too early for me to confirm these yet but I will be in the city next week and will certainly find out.

I just got back from another great visit.
I asked a few girls about the proposed changes. No one knows anything about the ban on double shifts or restricted working hours so in that regard everything remains the same. A few said the 21 rule has now come in but Mai Thai told me she was still seeing younger girls working.
A rumour about girls now asking a minimum of 100 Euros is incorrect. 50 S+F is still common. Some price themselves higher or lower which of course is their right.
Below is a picture I took on Tuesday morning. I had hoped for snow the whole trip and I was a bit annoyed it only arrived on the day I was leaving.

George.