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Battle for Bischofshofen: Expansion of wholesale markets threatens to crush the town center!
The planned wholesale market in Bischofshofen is causing controversy: critics warn of negative effects on local shops and traffic.
Battle for Bischofshofen: Expansion of wholesale markets threatens to crush the town center!
Things are simmering in Bischofshofen: the planned construction of a new wholesale market with a sales area of 3,900 square meters is causing considerable unrest among local business people and decision-makers. Critics fear that this market could drain purchasing power from the city center and endanger the existence of many small shops, such as ORF Salzburg reported. The state authorities, especially spatial planning, are also expressing concerns as the development could lead to a further concentration of commercial establishments and the balance between the economy, work and housing remains at risk.
Criticism of traffic congestion
There are also fears of an increase in traffic volume, especially between 4 and 5 p.m. Up to 190 additional vehicles per hour could overload the roundabout on Salzachtalstrasse-Gasteinerstrasse. The municipal council is now faced with the challenge of deciding on the appeal that has been submitted. If no agreement is reached, the State Administrative Court will make the final decision.
The controversial expansion of the Europark, which is to be increased by an additional 8,500 square meters of retail space, is also making waves. Loud Salzburg News Local entrepreneurs warn that this could have acute consequences for the town centers in Pongau. Klaus Horvat-Unterdorfer, managing director of the SBS business association, describes the catalog of measures as an accelerant for the death of the town center, as displacement and job losses cannot be ruled out. St. Johann's fashion store owner Josef Nagl also makes clear how the expansion could give a boost to the already struggling vacancies in the communities and calls for a balanced relationship between small shops and large companies.
The discussion highlights the tensions between traditional retailers, who rely on personal customer relationships, and the growing large-scale retail structures, which often aggressively woo customers with lower prices and broader selections. The community of Bischofshofen has recently made efforts to revitalize its town center, but the construction of the new wholesale market could severely impact the success of these efforts, warn local actors and experts.