Overview
- The BBE Handelsberatung study surveyed 1,016 visitors and 84 retailers and received €10,000 in city funding, with results presented on Jan. 20.
- Visitor satisfaction fell to 83% from about 89% in 2022, and 40% say they now come less often than five years ago as online shopping gains.
- Respondents cite poor cleanliness plus missing green space, seating and public toilets as core factors diminishing the experience.
- Only 56% of inner‑city retailers are satisfied with their location versus 76% three years ago, and roughly one in ten plan to close or relocate within two years.
- Merchants point to parking constraints and prolonged construction as major hurdles; officials promise tighter site coordination, with the Alte Akademie targeted for completion around 2029, even as under‑24s report more frequent visits.