Greifswald: Is the city center transforming into a ghost town?

Greifswald: Is the city center transforming into a ghost town?

A gradual change is becoming noticeable in Greifswald, as the city center is increasingly losing substance and is becoming increasingly desolate. How moin.de reported that three stores have closed their doors in the last few weeks. The wine merchant Pallhuber, which had tried for three years to offer exclusive wines, pulled the plug in mid-June. Sales manager Jens Grunwald expresses disappointment about the lack of customer influx and staff shortages, which contributed to the closures.

The patisserie “Tortegegewör”, which was only launched at the end of 2023, also had to close because there was no demand and costs continued to rise. The crystal shop “Ocean Crystals” joins this sad list. The growing vacancies in Greifswald are leading to growing desperation among citizens, who increasingly perceive the city center as a “ghost town”. A look at online comments reveals the problems openly: high parking fees and a lack of quality of stay mean that many people prefer to go shopping somewhere else, where parking is cheaper and the visit seems more worthwhile.

Shop extinction is a nationwide problem

The situation in Greifswald is not isolated. The German Trade Association (HDE) is sounding the alarm and predicting the loss of 9,000 stores nationwide by 2023 world.de reported. If purchasing power falls and costs rise, it becomes increasingly difficult for many shop owners. There are currently around 311,000 stores in Germany, a decrease of almost 62,000 compared to 2015.

Small specialist retailers, such as fashion boutiques and shoe stores, are particularly coming under pressure. The fact that high rental costs are bringing many businesses to their knees is a key point. How focus.de states, a total of around 46,000 retailers are expected to give up by 2024. This scenario leads to increased vacancies, which in turn endangers the attractiveness of city centers and triggers a downward spiral.

Way out of the crisis?

There are numerous demands to revitalize inner cities. The HDE is committed to campaigns to strengthen the “Buy Local” idea in order to encourage citizens to buy from local retailers. The creation of multifunctional places that combine shopping and services is also on the agenda. Converting retail space into housing could help increase urban population.

“We need quick and unbureaucratic approval processes for conversions,” demands the HDE. Settlement managers in municipalities could play a key role in quickly closing the emerging gaps in city centers. Otherwise there is a risk of a chain reaction of vacancies, which could endanger not only businesses but also the quality of life in the cities.

Whether Greifswald and other cities can turn things around depends on a combination of innovative ideas and political support. One thing is clear: the challenges are great, and creative thinking and quick action are needed to make city centers fit for the future.