Woluwe-Saint-Lambert seeks successor for Cook & Book

The Brussels municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert will launch a tender to find a new owner for the former premises of Cook & Book, the defunct cultural and gastronomic complex next to Roodebeek metro station.

Once a thriving hub of activity, and especially popular with young families, the former Albert Foods-owned establishment shut down this summer.

The sprawling, hypermarket-sized space that was divided into nine themed sections declared bankruptcy in June, following years of financial difficulties.

The shutdown resulted in 22 staff and 30 student job losses and was disappointing news for customers, who could browse books and then enjoy a restaurant meal.

Mayor Olivier Maingain told a recent municipal council meeting that the site hopes to reopen in summer 2026, and that it would be “a real place of activity for young people”.

The premises comprise two sections. Maingain said that Block A, on Cours Paul-Henri Spaak, would house a catering establishment and a bookstore. Block B, adjacent to Woluwe’s flagship cultural centre Wolubilis, will allow the current library and Temps Libre children’s activity centre to expand.

But before this development can take place, the Place du Temps Libre site must be refurbished. “We found wear and tear, but also an intention to cause harm: some cables were cut up to the walls,” Maingain said. Repair costs are estimated at €250,000.

In addition, the municipality is determined not to repeat past mistakes, which resulted in a massive bill of more than €500,000 in rent arrears.

Debts have not been completely recovered, with the commune retrieving its properties, but not all the money.

“There is no longer any question of having a single operator for the site,” Maingain said. “We are going to focus on a diversity of businesses.”

If all goes well – the restoration work and administrative procedures – a new call for applications will be launched in 2026.

“The aim is to revive this iconic location - and to do so with a better management than in the past,” Maingain added.