Navigating Energy Costs and Red Tape: Showmen in Schleswig-Holstein Seek Relief from Bureaucracy
Exhibitors voice concerns over increasing energy expenses and burdensome red tape - Performers express dissatisfaction over escalating energy expenses and burdensome regulations
Showmen in Schleswig-Holstein - the vibrantheart of rural festivities - are facing a double whammy: skyrocketing energy prices and a mountain of bureaucracy. According to Marco Lange, president of the Showmen's Association, these challenges are holding back their industry, which serves as a crucial connection point for diverse social layers.
At carnivals and festivals across the state, Lange claims, exorbitant stand fees ranging from a few hundred to thousands of euros are straining showmen's budgets. As a result, a sausage at a small local festival can be cheaper than at big events like the Kiel Week (21st to 29th June).
Schleswig-Holstein boasts around 220 showmen businesses, with a stable number over the years. About a third operate regionally, occasionally venturing as far as Munich. Finding staff, however, remains a challenge due to the unattractive working hours, and increased minimum wages don't seem to provide a solution. Meanwhile, bureaucratic red tape persistently hampers the hiring of seasonal workers.
When it comes to bureaucracy, Lange brings up the lengthy approval processes for heavy transports like giant wheels or carousel rides. The weeks-long wait for approval often prevents short-term replacements when a business goes down, impacting overall operations.
The SPD, a key political party, believes that the state government should champion improvements for showmen, engaging in dialogue with local authorities. Kianusch Stender, SPD economist, posits that showmen play a vital role in promoting cultural life in northern regions, generating jobs, and boosting local tourism.
Stender emphasizes the significance of showmen during summer events like the Kiel Week, providing unique attractions, amusement rides, and catering offerings that foster joy and community spirit. He urges action to protect, maintain, and strengthen the industry so it not only endures but thrives.
Streamlining the Show: Strategies to Overcome Challenges
To alleviate the bureaucratic burden on showmen and lower energy costs, several potential solutions can be explored:
Smarter Permitting Processes
Digital platforms for permit applications could reduce paperwork, expedite approvals, and minimize administrative complexities.
Uniform Regulations
Standardizing regulations across localities with national standards can simplify compliance and cut down on confusion.
Collaborative Dialogues
Workshops allowing showmen and local authorities to exchange ideas and address bureaucratic hurdles can foster a collaborative environment.
Green Energy Adoption
Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources like solar or wind power can lessen dependence on traditional energy and decrease costs over time.
Energy-Efficient Technologies
Promoting energy-efficient equipment and lighting in show venues can significantly reduce energy consumption and costs.
Energy Audits
Regular audits to identify areas of inefficiency and offer suggestions for improvement can help showmen optimize their energy use.
By implementing these strategies, showmen in Schleswig-Holstein may be able to tackle both bureaucratic challenges and soaring energy costs, fostering a more sustainable and thriving industry.
Vocational training programs could help stabilize the showmen industry by equipping youth with skills needed to work in the unpredictable hours and seasonal work nature. Such training may focus on crucial areas like heavy transport operations, mechanical maintenance, and energy conservation.
Financing solutions should be considered to facilitate investments in green energy and energy-efficient technologies for showmen businesses. This could involve business grants, low-interest loans, or tax incentives for businesses adopting renewable energy sources, ultimately reducing energy costs and fostering a more sustainable industry.
