Retail & gastronomy

How about a microbrewery that serves its own locally brewed beer? A wide variety of freshly brewed beer and offers such as beer tastings, brewing courses and hands-on opportunities, such as choosing the next beer to be brewed and its ingredients, attract connoisseurs and beer lovers.

The table soccer department of Alemannia Aachen has set out to make table soccer in Aachen as popular as it once was. Today, the focus is more on performance, without losing sight of the fun! The high level of commitment to the Inclusion League as a social project remains an important part of this. People aged 10 to 74 play for the club. Whether male, female, diverse, with or without a disability - with 20 nationalities represented, diversity is actively lived!

Newly approved funds from the NRW funding program "Sustainable inner cities and town centers" enable a new edition of the municipal funding project 'Ladenliebe'.

As part of the "Ladenliebe" funding program, the city of Aachen has been able to fill a total of 17 formerly vacant stores with new life since autumn 2021. New business ideas were supported for a maximum of two years with sponsored rent to try out new concepts or venture into self-employment.

Against the backdrop of the transformation of our city centers, the increase in vacancies and the challenges for retail and gastronomy caused by the consequences of coronavirus, inflation and changes in customer behavior, the state government is also making it possible to act quickly, break new ground and develop new perspectives with the new funding program.

The funds made available through this can be used by the City of Aachen to rent vacant spaces and sublet them at a reduced rent for a period of up to two years to new users with exciting concepts.

The aim is to enable new concepts, offers and business ideas to be tested and established in a risk-free manner for a sustainable and colorful Aachen city center. From concept stores to creative and cultural uses, retail and gastronomy offers to services and educational offers, everything is possible in principle.

The future offerings should increase footfall as much as possible, i.e. have an invigorating effect and make our city center even more colorful and attractive. This requires a minimum opening time of four days a week. On these days, the stores must be open for at least six hours. The uses should also have the opportunity to establish themselves in the long term.

A pure relocation within the city center is ruled out, as this would create vacancies elsewhere.

The following map shows the area in the city center in which stores are generally eligible for funding (assuming the participation of the owners).

The owners must make concessions in terms of rental conditions and reduce the old rent - or, in the case of longer vacancies, the rent currently achievable at the location - by at least 30 percent. As subtenants, the new tenants pay 30 percent of the old or achievable basic rent plus ancillary costs.

Example: If the last basic rent was 1,000 euros, the tenants only pay 300 euros in basic rent (plus ancillary costs).

A rental period of six months or more is desirable. The maximum rental period is 24 months. The leases run until the end of December 2027 at the latest.

You can use our application form to register your interest in renting space and present your concept for enriching Aachen's city center. Please also indicate the desired location, your space requirements, the desired rental period and the maximum rent payable. If you already have a desired location, please let us know.

The concepts are presented to suitable property owners. They select a suitable concept from those available and suitable for the property. The City of Aachen rents the premises as the main tenant and sublets the premises to the new users at a reduced rate. Before the end of the lease term, we will be happy to support you in negotiating the new lease terms with the owner if you wish to continue renting the store.

Important: The rental will only take place if interested parties register for the premises and the concepts match the ideas of the owners.

Owners are also welcome to contact us if their establishment is in the focus area. We will be happy to clarify whether and under what conditions your premises can be included in the campaign. Please use our vacancy detector to report your store.

Of course, you can also enter stores that are not in the focus area. The vacancy and application notifier is used to match supply and demand in the best possible way with the aim of quickly revitalizing or preventing vacancies.

We would be happy to talk to you personally about these and other concepts that are suitable for your property. We would be delighted if we could revitalize your vacancy together with you.

The attractiveness of Aachen's city center and its individual districts is largely driven by the retail, hospitality and craft sectors. The coronavirus pandemic, the Ukraine crisis, inflation, rising energy prices, the unbroken trend towards online shopping and the shortage of skilled workers have presented these sectors with various challenges in recent years, meaning that there is still a wide-ranging need for support. Since the end of 2021, the "Aachener Einzelhandel, Gastronomie und Handwerk stärken" (Strengthening Aachen's retail, hospitality and skilled trades) fund has provided targeted support for these needs; the successful implementation of various funded projects has been experienced in many areas of the city.

In the sixth edition of the fund with the new name "Oecher Perlen - Fonds für eine lebenswerte Innenstadt" (Oecher Perlen - Fund for a liveable city center), incentives were created to revitalize and increase the attractiveness of the city center and its districts and to create experiences, e.g. by holding events and joint external presentation.

Applications for the seventh round of the fund can be submitted from early summer. We will inform you in good time about the thematic focus and funding conditions for the next round.

Aachen is of great importance as a shopping city and meeting place. However, like many city centers, Aachen is also facing challenges: The growing online trade, changing purchasing behavior and vacancies are having an impact on its attractiveness.

A retail study was commissioned in 2024 in order to counter negative mechanisms at an early stage and continue to strengthen Aachen's city center as a socially relevant, international and diverse center of attraction and make it fit for the future. It takes a look at the status quo of Aachen's city center.

Key aspects such as quality of stay, accessibility and mix of uses are considered. The study emphasizes that the city offers good conditions for positive development with its location close to the border, cultural diversity and a strong local retail structure. At the same time, measures are needed to avoid vacancies, diversify the offering and incorporate digital and sustainable solutions.

Particular attention is paid to data-based strategies and close cooperation between the city, the retail sector and the real estate industry. Conclusion of the study: Aachen can secure and further develop its position as an attractive shopping and experience city through targeted measures.

The full retail study from 2024 can be found here: Link

Gastronomy plays a central role in the revitalization of Aachen's city centre. It contributes to the quality of stay, increases visitor frequency and creates experiential spaces. For this reason, the Economic Development Agency commissioned a study in 2024 to record the current situation, identify challenges and highlight potential for sustainable development.

The survey makes it clear that Aachen has a diverse gastronomy landscape, but one that faces challenges due to vacancies, a lack of target group appeal and unused spaces. There is a particular need for action in the Adalbertstraße and Dahmengraben areas. At the same time, the growing interest in innovative gastronomy concepts offers opportunities for new establishments and targeted further development.

Based on the results of the study, targeted measures will be developed to strengthen the gastronomic appeal of the city center. These include the promotion of new concepts, better use of outdoor spaces, stronger networking of stakeholders and the development of neighborhood-related focal points.

By strategically developing its gastronomy sector, Aachen can further expand its position as a vibrant shopping and experience city. The study provides valuable recommendations for action in order to establish sustainable and future-proof gastronomy in Aachen's city center.

A vibrant and sustainable city center is created through cooperation and innovative concepts. In cooperation with Märkte und Aktionskreis City e.V. (MAC) and the city management, we are actively committed to the further development of Aachen.

Through targeted measures, we are meeting current challenges such as structural change in the retail sector, changing consumer habits and the need for sustainable urban development. Our network of retailers, restaurateurs, property owners and other stakeholders enables a continuous exchange and close cooperation.

With regular get-togethers and networking events, we promote dialog between all stakeholders, jointly develop strategies to enhance the location and implement innovative concepts. Our aim is to strengthen Aachen as a shopping and meeting place and to create a city center that remains attractive for residents, visitors and businesses alike.