Shopping Sundays: It's not that easy

Can the Freising retail trade be supported or even saved with more Sunday shopping?

This question now preoccupied the city councils.

Jens Barschdorf (FDP) had targeted two more Sundays for additional shopping experiences.

There are currently two Sundays open for shopping in Freising: as part of the Palmdult and the Kirchweihdult.

Here, the sales outlets adjacent to the market are allowed to be open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

There is also a wrap-around plan that shows which shops are allowed to be open on Sundays and which are not.

The discussion

Richard Grimm (FW) also knows why: Before the encroachment, the whole city was allowed to open and people then “drove out to Kaufland”.

Because it's not that easy with the shopping Sundays, as city lawyer Hanna Sammüller-Gradl pointed out.

According to Sammüller-Gradl, the event must be in the foreground and not the retail trade.

The shops are likely to open to take care of the visitors - so the retail trade at, for example, the Dult must be spatially limited by a wraparound card.

In plain language: It is not possible for people to visit the Palmdult and then go to the Schlüter-Hallen to do their shopping.

Another proposal

In addition to Barschdorf's application, the councils had another one before them: City- und Centermanagement Weimar GmbH would also like two Sunday shopping for the Schlüterhallen - preferably in October and December this year with the market themes of sport and Advent.

If all forecast values ​​are still missing for October, the lawyer completely declined for December: For legal reasons, Sundays open for sale cannot be approved here.

Eva Bönig (Greens) was amazed at the application regarding Schlüter-Hallen, because it was largely open there anyway, in contrast to the retail trade in the city center, which was “battered” by Corona and construction sites.

“I'm wondering,” is her summary of this request.

In their opinion, Sundays that are open for sale must be given careful consideration, also because Sundays should not be working days, except for certain professional groups.

Guido Hoyer (left) also found it difficult to warm up to more Sunday shopping.

According to Hoyer, we have a very liberal shop closing law until 8 p.m. - but very few make use of it.

In his opinion, Sunday is a great good.

The result

After talks with the Active City, however, the city came to a different conclusion - Rose Day on June 20 could be used as a possible occasion for a Sunday shopping.

According to Sammüller-Gradl, the forecast for this event would be around 8,000 people.

In this regard, Andreas Mehltretter (SPD) warned of the risk of infection with so many people in the city center.

It is very questionable whether this will work in three months, according to Mehltretter.

This year that would be counterproductive because of Corona anyway, Grimm also said.

In his opinion, Sundays that are open for sale are by no means the salvation of the retail trade, but rather a burden and an additional financial expense for many.

Grimm would much rather be able to open his business normally at the moment than hope for these Sundays.

Robert Weller (FW) warned that the city center would soon look “quite gloomy”.

His question in this regard: is a Dult still a magnet at all or does it need other attractions?

He would much rather see the fabric market in the city center, which has attracted around 15,000 visitors to the Luitpold facility in the past.

The vote

Barschdorf's application for two more Sundays was rejected.

With a dissenting vote, however, it was decided to entrust the administration with a legal review for another Sunday shopping - but only if the Rose Day is organized by the Active City.