Innsbruck club culture: 118,000 euros in funding for 15 companies from the scene
“Die Localities that operate nightly are the first to have to close due to the pandemic measures and the last to open again.” As early as August 2020, the Club Commission decided in writing on the catastrophic situation of the scene for 15 companies.
INNSBRUCK. “The restart funding for local club culture companies, which were affected the longest by the pandemic-related conditions, in the amount of 118,000 euros was decided in the city senate. After a year and a half of demands, the Innsbruck Club Commission and its members are happy and hope that the city will also be able to signaled support.” This is how the Club Commission appears to be welcome to the BezirksBlätter-Innsbruck editorial team.
city senate
The Department of Economy and Tourism, together with the Club Commission, has developed a funding concept that will enable this sector to restart after the pandemic-related failures. The total funding volume is 118,000 euros. A total of 15 companies submitted a subsidy application.
“A flourishing and lively nightclub culture is an important social, cultural and economic factor for the city of Innsbruck. A broader, high-quality range of services increases the attractiveness of the city and strengthens the Innsbruck brand.”
same City Councilor for Economic Affairs Christine Oppitz-Plörer and goes on to say: “With the one-time restart funding, the operators of Innsbruck’s night culture are to be financially supported and promoted after the Covid 19 crisis.” The city senate voted unanimously in favor of the funding.
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starting point
On August 31, 2020, the Club Commission wrote to Mayor Georg Willi: “The latest events and measures relating to Covid-19 have gradually brought our entire sector into an increasingly existential situation.
As is known, night-time venues were the first to close due to the pandemic measures and the last to open again. So they are logically the longest and most affected by the federal protective measures. This fact alone should provide sufficient justification for the need to pay special attention to this area and to offer special assistance.
Unfortunately, however, it seems that at this moment, paradoxically, those who are hit hardest in this crisis are being forgotten.”
vocation
“Now that the entire industry has behaved with a great deal of understanding for the problematic situation and the necessary measures, it is now time to take a comprehensive look at our situation and provide the necessary assistance. We have taken our share of responsibility and find it Now only to fairly demand that political accountability for our sector be obtained as well,” WILL the letter continue. The Club Commission also warns of the effects: “A wave of bankruptcies in the club culture sector, which will only start with a delay next year
will reach its climax.
In addition to the destroyed livelihoods, lost jobs and loss of cultural capital, there is the problem of the irreversible damage that occurs. A hole will be torn in the currently desirable diverse cultural program, which will only slowly be filled again.
Especially in a city with constantly rising square meter prices and a scourging shortage of comparable commercial real estate for the event and night sector, every insolvency brings with it a 5 to 10-year cultural gap.”
requirements
A large number of funding opportunities and measures were cited in the letter. i.a. was the demand: “We therefore also demand that there must be a separate aid package from the city of Innsbruck for the Innsbruck club culture. The first and only step is immediate help in 2020. Direct support for the remaining monthly costs in the closed Companies with a total of 600,000 euros. This is essential to ensure the survival of companies in all extended areas. Despite the 100% assumption of fixed costs by the federal government, many costs remain uncovered.”
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decisions
A long political discussion follows. In March 2021, an aid package of 150,000 euros for the Innsbruck clubs was put together and approved by the municipal council. In the end, however, the link to payments from the state of Tyrol and the WKO, which has already been criticized by the Innsbruck Club Commission, has, as expected, meant that this support service has been calculated and stifled. The restart was decided at the municipal council meeting in March 2022.
“In view of the important socio-political, cultural and economic importance of nightclub culture, the city of Innsbruck supports the support of the affected Innsbruck companies for a new start after the corona pandemic.
The city of Innsbruck is providing €150,000.00 for this “restart funding for Innsbruck night culture businesses.” According to the Club Commission, there are a maximum of around 25 facilities in Innsbruck that can meet these criteria.
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