Struggling Showmen Battle Excessive Energy Costs and Red Tape in Schleswig-Holstein
Operators of amusement parks grumble over escalating energy expenses and burdensome administrative red tape - Exhibitors express concerns over escalating energy expenses and bureaucratic complexities
Showmen in Schleswig-Holstein are grappling with burdensome bureaucracy and exhortant energy prices. According to Marco Lange, the president of the Showmen's Association, to the German Press Agency (dpa), the industry can't merely pass on high energy costs to festival attendees.
Participating in local festivals demands stand fees ranging from hundreds to several thousand euros, based on the size of the show business and the festivity. Hence, a sausage at a modest event is typically less expensive compared to, say, the Kieler Woche (21st to 29th June).
"There are 220 showman's ventures in the state," claims Lange. Over time, the number has remained relatively stable. Around a third of these businesses are active regionally, sometimes reaching as far as Munich. Many are grappling to secure staff due to unappealing working hours. A surge in the minimum wage doesn't resolve this predicament. Additionally, there's a labyrinth of red tape when hiring seasonal workers.
As one example of bureaucracy, Lange highlighted the prolonged waiting times, at times even weeks, for authorization of heavy transports—like colossal wheels or merry-go-rounds. Replacing a failed business short-term is often impossible due to these bureaucratic impediments.
SPD urges improvements
The SPD urges the black-green state government to advocate for improvements and engage with municipalities. Showmen play a vital role in Schleswig-Holstein's cultural landscape, stated SPD economist Kianusch Stender. "They not only foster sociability and entertainment, they also generate jobs and boost regional tourism."
"Especially in the upcoming summer season, showmen bring variety to people's lives during events like the Kieler Woche," said Stender. Their stands, rides, and food stalls add joy and camaraderie. "This needs to be safeguarded, maintained, and bolstered to ensure the industry not only endures but thrives again."
- Showmen
- Exorbitant energy costs
- Burden of bureaucracy
- Kieler Woche
- Schleswig-Holstein
- Sausage
- SPD
- German Press Agency
- Labyrinth of red tape
Possible Solutions:
- Embracing energy efficiency initiatives and promoting sustainable energy sources can help reduce energy costs.
- Streamlining permitting processes and offering clear guidelines can alleviate bureaucracy for showmen.
- Collaboration between showmen and regional authorities can facilitate addressing issues promptly and ensure the industry thrives.
- Embracing energy efficiency initiatives and identifying sustainable energy sources could potentially help alleviate the burden of exorbitant energy costs faced by showmen in EC countries, such as Schleswig-Holstein, allowing them to maintain their businesses during high-profile events like the Kieler Woche.
- Simplifying the labyrinth of red tape for showmen, including streamlining permitting processes and offering clear guidelines, can be a solution to ease the burden of bureaucracy and better facilitate collaboration between showmen and regional authorities in Schleswig-Holstein, foster sociability, entertainment, and drive regional tourism.
