Benrath, Düsseldorf: Beer Swap and Action Group Mark 30 Years of Struggle for Location Celebration
Revitalizing Benrath Market Square: The Benrath Action Community (AGB) Embraces a Renewed Lease of Life
Over the weekend, Benrath Market Square bore witness to an unexpected gust of wind, strong enough to shake tents during the AGB's 30th anniversary celebration, held concurrently with the beer festival. Established in 1991, the association of Benrath traders, restaurateurs, and service providers, originally scheduled to celebrate its milestone in 1993, delayed the celebration due to the pandemic. Around 50 guests from local business, administration, and politics attended, pledging their support for another three decades.
Shopping destinations need continuous promotion to maintain their appeal, and Benrath is no exception. While quality advice, friendliness, and competence in owner-managed shops are valuable assets, they are often overshadowed by the surge of online retail. In response, the AGB has been dedicating efforts to bolster the location through events and discussions. The annual beer festival and Christmas village, now staples on Benrath's calendar, are examples of these efforts, as are the regular market days, children's flea market, and various other special deals organized by the AGB and its partners.
In 2022, the Benrather people invested approximately 40,000 euros in new LED Christmas lighting for the district. Under the leadership of Mayor Thomas Geisel, SPD, the AGB had previously developed a ten-point plan aimed at improving the village. Now, under the stewardship of the new, honorary AGB chairwoman Inge Nitschke, the community plans to revisit this plan with renewed vigor.
The AGB's initiatives are largely spearheaded by its female-led board, as evidenced by the celebration's presentation of the AGB board members: Britta Richter, Sandra Nußbaum, Eva Habertz, and Inge Nitschke. The summer break will see the first round table, attended by representatives from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, politics, and the business sector, who will collaborate to explore new opportunities for Benrath.
The pedestrian zone on the Benrather main street provides a snapshot of the area's progress, with some businesses closing while others like Gerry Weber continue to thrive. Maintaining local retail, corner pubs, and service providers is a continual challenge, much like Sisyphus's task.
Engaging the community, supporting local businesses, adopting sustainable practices, organizing cultural events, partnering with local schools and institutions, improving infrastructure, emphasizing local products, developing a digital presence, and creating community-conserved spaces are some strategies that can help maintain Benrath as an appealing shopping destination while fostering economic growth. Although specific initiatives by the AGB would require more detailed information, the community's commitment to ensuring Benrath's continued success is clear.
The Benrath Action Community (AGB), in their efforts to maintain Benrath as a vibrant shopping destination, is planning to revisit their ten-point plan, aiming to enhance the home-and-garden and lifestyle experiences for visitors through various improvements. To attract more customers and cater to changing preferences, the AGB is organizing events such as the annual beer festival, Christmas village, and market days, as well as exploring new opportunities with local partners during the upcoming round table discussions.
