In reference to the rooster being abandoned on the property
In the heart of rural Brandenburg, village inns have long been a cornerstone of local communities, serving as social and cultural centres for citizens' assemblies, local discussions, and community events. However, a recent trend of closures threatens to uproot this long-standing tradition.
According to Jan Lange, vice-president of the state association of DEHOGA in Prignitz and a hotelier, the loss of gastronomy in rural areas is a pressing issue. Between 2010 and 2023, 142 drinking establishments in Brandenburg have permanently closed their doors, a statistic that underscores the severity of the problem. In the Prignitz region alone, 31.6% of all gastronomy businesses have closed down, while in the Uckermark region, a staggering 50% of drinking establishments and around 12% of all inns have shut their doors.
These closures not only impact the local economy but also the community's sense of identity and cohesion. Many inns shape the local image and foster a unique community feeling, making them invaluable to the rural fabric. As Frank Bommert, a CDU economist, puts it, "Every village inn that closes is a severe blow to every village and the community within the village."
In a time when society is increasingly drifting apart, these places of encounter and cohesion must be preserved, according to Bommert. Lange shares this sentiment, proposing innovative solutions such as providing a building to a restaurateur for some time, similar to state funding for country doctors and teachers, to offer gastronomy and keep these cultural hubs alive.
However, the Brandenburg state government's response to this crisis has been less clear. While they refer to the funding guideline for founders and business successors in Brandenburg, which could potentially be claimed by innkeepers, no concrete measures to support Brandenburg's gastronomy have been listed. Lange expresses concern about bureaucracy, stating that despite talks about reduction, they are seeing more bureaucracy.
The search results do not reveal specific information about measures implemented by the Brandenburg state government to support and preserve village inns as social and cultural infrastructure in rural areas. To gain precise, up-to-date details about Brandenburg's latest policies or measures, it would be necessary to consult official Brandenburg state government communications, rural development programs, or local cultural preservation initiatives directly tied to village inns.
Despite these challenges, the importance of village inns as more than just places to eat and drink cannot be overstated. As Bommert eloquently puts it, "Village inns are far more than places to eat and drink - they are the heart of village life, meeting points for young and old, places of togetherness." It is hoped that the Brandenburg state government will take decisive action to preserve these vital cultural and social institutions in rural areas.
- The loss of gastronomy in rural areas, such as village inns, is a pressing issue, according to Jan Lange, vice-president of the state association of DEHOGA in Prignitz and a hotelier.
- Many inns shape the local image and foster a unique community feeling, making them invaluable to the rural fabric, and, as Frank Bommert, a CDU economist, puts it, "Every village inn that closes is a severe blow to every village and the community within the village."
- In an effort to preserve village inns, Lange proposes innovative solutions such as providing a building to a restaurateur for some time, similar to state funding for country doctors and teachers.
- Despite challenges and concerns about bureaucracy, it is hoped that the Brandenburg state government will take decisive action to preserve these vital cultural and social institutions in rural areas.
