The Binnenstadfonds had to make the inner cities in Drenthe more attractive, for example with less vacancy. But has the province’s jar, with about 13 million euros in it, turned out to be a success?
The money is divided between Assen, Beilen, Coevorden, Emmen, Hoogeveen, Meppel and Roden. The province has commissioned research into the effects of the fund. “A main purpose of the money is to reduce vacancy in the inner cities,” writes economic research and consultancy firm Decisio, which conducted the study. This was successful in Roden and Beilen, where vacancy rates have fallen since 2017. Not in the other five places.
Yet the Meppel alderman Robin van Ulzen does not speak of a failing fund. In fact, he talks a lot about it. “As Meppel, we had the goal of reducing 5,000 square meters of retail space. We are now well over the 10,000 square meters that we have reduced in retail space. The goal has definitely been achieved.”
The municipality has mainly committed to moving shops just outside the center to a building in the center. At the same time, the old shop can be transformed into a residential house. Less vacancy and a more compact center is the reasoning.
Watch the report on the evaluation of the Binnenstandsfonds (article continues below the video):