Feeling the Squeeze: Showmen Cry Foul Over Energy Costs and Red Tape in Schleswig-Holstein
Performers express grievances over escalating energy expenses and red tape bureaucracy - Performers Express Concerns Over High Energy Expenses and Excessive Regulations
Marco Lange, president of the Showmen's Association, lays it out bluntly: bureaucracy and sky-high energy costs are putting a stranglehold on his industry.
Lange's industry ain't no rinky-dink operation—it caters to all walks of life. But these costs? They ain't a walk in the park. They can't just hike up the prices for fairgoers to cover 'em either.
Participation fees at local festivals vary, running from hundreds to thousands of euros depending on the size of the show and the festival. That bratwurst you enjoy at a smaller event? Cheaper than at Kiel Week. But don't expect miracles—with 220 showmen businesses in the state, not much has changed in recent years. A third of these businesses hit the road, sometimes traveling as far as Munich. Finding staff isn't a cinch due to the unattractive hours. A boost in the minimum wage? Not the silver bullet they need. Hiring seasonal workers? Riddled with bureaucratic hoops to jump through.
Take heavy transports, like those for giant wheels or carousels, for instance. Approval can take weeks. If something goes south and a temporary replacement is needed, forget about it.
The SPD cries foul too. They're urging the black-green state government to take action and hold talks with municipalities. Showmen are integral to the cultural landscape of the north, contributing to sociability, entertainment, jobs, and regional tourism, SPD economist Kianusch Stender asserts.
Summer's on the horizon, and showmen are the life of the party, turning Kiel Week and other fairs into unforgettable events. Their stands, rides, and eats bring pleasure and a sense of community. Stender agrees, stressing the importance of protecting, maintaining, and bolstering the industry.
So, what now? The SPD proposes energy-efficient measures, regulations simplification, and local event support to ease the burden on showmen. But let's face it—it's going to take more than hot air to sort this out.
Showmen, energy costs, bureaucracy, Kiel Week, Schleswig-Holstein, SPD, sausage
Despite the significant role they play in Schleswig-Holstein's cultural landscape, contributing to entertainment, jobs, and regional tourism, showmen struggle with sky-high energy costs and complicated bureaucracy. To address these issues, the SPD suggests implementing energy-efficient measures, simplifying regulations, and supporting local events financially. This could potentially improve the lifestyle and livelihood of showmen businesses, enabling them to continue providing food-and-drink, rides, and entertainment that contribute to sociability and a sense of community, particularly during events like Kiel Week.
