The City of Aachen's economic development agency invited people to a speed dating event in Holz- und Dahmengraben. Property owners and potential tenants with promising business concepts were brought together to actively shape the future of the inner-city street. The event provided an opportunity to view vacant stores, present business ideas and make valuable contacts.

The "Ladenliebe" project as part of the NRW funding programme "Sustainable inner cities and town centers" offers the opportunity to revitalize vacant stores and promote new business ideas at the same time. The city of Aachen subsidizes the lease for a maximum of two years and supports the owners in their search for new users.

Property owners therefore also took the opportunity to present their vacant stores at the matching event. At the same time, interested tenants brought along their visions of new business concepts - from retail and gastronomy to innovative service offerings. In a short space of time, initial agreements were reached through direct communication, which could pave the way for future tenancies and the revitalization of the street.

The city's business development department was also on site and supported both owners and tenants with questions about funding opportunities and the further development of the city center. "The 'Ladenliebe' program shows how important it is to create creative space for new ideas," says Pia Dödtmann, Head of Business Development in the city's Department of Economic Affairs, Science, Digital City and Europe. "At the speed dating event, we were able to establish many valuable contacts and set the course for the positive development of Holz- und Dahmengraben."

The event met with great interest and initial contacts are now being made. Further events are planned in order to consistently pursue the chosen path. Interested owners and potential tenants are invited to contact the business development department at herbert.kuck@mail.aachen.de and / or jalina.maassen@mail.aachen.de.