Together against vacancies: Hameln's old town urgently needs help!

Together against vacancies: Hameln's old town urgently needs help!

In Hameln, the SPD, Greens, CDU, FDP and Frischer Wind/The Independents are pulling together to revitalize the old town and give retail new impetus. The five parliamentary groups have voted for an extension of the “Hameln acts!” funding program. pronounced. The city administration is asked to continue its support as the conditions for local businesses are extremely tense. As the Dewezet reported, the AfD is not going along with it; she is not involved in this political push.

“An end to the program would send the wrong signal and could jeopardize existing activities,” was the unanimous opinion of the applicants. There are currently 33 empty shops in the old town, which represents a reduction of 12 vacancies since November 2011, but still raises concerns. The decline in sales in 2023 affects many businesses in the city center and creates a tense atmosphere. The initiative receives support from students at Weserbergland University, who are also committed to continuing the program.

The successful program “Hameln acts!”

The “Hameln acts!” funding program aims to support business start-ups and successions, particularly in the retail, catering and service sectors. In the initial phase, the city covers the full net rent for the first twelve months, up to 5,000 euros per month for new openings. For existing shops, there is the possibility of applying for subsidies for shop construction costs of a maximum of 5,000 euros. In addition, when taking over a shop, half of the net rent for one year up to 2,500 euros per month is paid in order to actively counteract the vacancy, as can be read on the website of the city of Hameln, which can be found at hameln.de can be found.

The groups also emphasize the role of the city's economic development and private initiatives that have contributed to the stabilization of the old town. Wilfried Binder from the SPD emphasizes the importance of economic development, while Birgit Albrecht from the CDU sees positive impulses for the local economy. The Finance Committee and the Administration Committee voted unanimously to continue the program until the end of 2027.

A look outside the box

The situation in Hamelin is not unique. Even in Berlin, like that rbb reports, retail is struggling with serious challenges. There, the retail trade excluding food experienced a decline in sales of over 20% compared to the previous year. The causes are varied: delayed aid measures, inflation and competition with online trading, which has also led to well-known shops having to close.

Demand for retail space is falling while rental prices have fallen in many parts of the city. Large chains in the textile retail sector are under pressure, and many retailers from the baby boomer generation cannot find a successor. Such developments raise questions about how the future of retail could shape itself in Hamelin.

On June 25th, the city council will decide whether to extend the program. Citizens can be curious to see what course will be set for the old town. Until then, it remains to be hoped that the retail sector in Hamelin can be saved from the threat of vacancies with more support.