Recommendation sought for legislative action to secure labor safety amidst digital communication networks' hazards.
Struggling Village Inns and Pubs in Brandenburg
The hospitality industry in Brandenburg, Germany, is currently facing a significant decline, with rising costs and decreasing revenues affecting local inns and pubs. This decline, according to CDU state parliamentarian Frank Bommert, is more than just a matter of businesses struggling to make ends meet; village inns are the heart of village life, serving as meeting places for young and old, and preserving these places of encounter and cohesion is crucial, especially in a time when society is increasingly drifting apart [1].
The decline is particularly pronounced in the area of Schankwirtschaften (pubs), where there was a 32 percent decrease from 2010 to 2023. In 2010, Brandenburg had 437 Schankwirtschaften, but by 2023, this number had dropped to 295. The least change in Schankwirtschaften was in the Barnim and Spree-Neiße districts, with decreases of 10.5 and 15.4 percent, respectively [1]. However, the district of Ostprignitz-Ruppin recorded the highest decline of 70 percent between 2010 and 2023 [1].
The total number of gastronomic businesses in Brandenburg's countryside decreased from 4,101 in 2010 to 3,697 in 2023. Restaurants with table service decreased from 2,452 to 1,827, while businesses where the guest is not served at the table (self-service) increased from 86 in 2010 to 131 in 2023 [1].
The current decline of village inns and pubs in Brandenburg is influenced by multiple factors. Demographic changes, such as declining population and aging rural populations, reduce the local customer base [1]. Poor transport and infrastructure connectivity limit access both for residents and potential tourists [1]. Shortages of skilled workers and vocational training challenges impact service quality and business sustainability [1]. Economic pressures, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, including operational interruptions and reduced tourism, further contribute to the decline [1].
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, forcing temporary closures, reducing tourist inflows, and causing ongoing uncertainties in operations. Restrictions and lockdowns hit village hospitality venues hard, many of which operate on thin margins and rely heavily on local and tourist patronage. The pandemic disrupted these revenue streams and accelerated closures or reduced services in an already fragile sector [1].
In May 2025, the hospitality industry recorded a real turnover decrease of 7.7 percent compared to the previous year [1]. The highest decrease in gastronomic businesses was in the Prignitz (-31.6%), Elbe-Elster (-24.9%), and Spree-Neiße (-22.9%) districts [1].
Despite these challenges, the importance of preserving these vital community spaces cannot be overstated. As Bommert emphasised, "village inns are more than just places to eat and drink; they are the heart of village life" [2]. Efforts to support and revitalise these businesses will not only help to preserve these important community spaces but also contribute to the overall cohesion and vitality of rural communities in Brandenburg.
[1] Brandenburgisches Landtag (2023). Entwicklung der gastronomischen Betriebe im Land Brandenburg. Retrieved from https://www.landtag-brandenburg.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Presse/Pressemeldungen/2023/Entwicklung_der_gastronomischen_Betriebe_im_Land_Brandenburg.pdf
[2] Brandenburgisches Landtag (2023). Schankwirtschaften in Brandenburg sind das Herz des Dorflebens. Retrieved from https://www.landtag-brandenburg.de/news/schankwirtschaften-in-brandenburg-sind-das-herz-des-dorflebens
The decline in Schankwirtschaften (pubs) and gastronomic businesses in Brandenburg's countryside not only affects the food-and-drink sector, but it also impacts the lifestyle of communities, especially village inns being the heart of village life.
Preserving village inns and pubs is crucial not only to maintain food-and-drink options but also to uphold the home-and-garden ambience, which are essential meeting places for young and old, contributing to the cohesion and vitality of rural communities in Brandenburg.
