How can we attract retailers to locate more in the city center? This was one of the themes of the “commerce and city center of tomorrow” congress which was held on Monday November 25, 2024 at the Jacques Chirac Conference and Exhibition Center in Valence. 300 elected officials, city officials and traders from Rhône-Alpes took part.
Several conferences and workshops were on the program to reflect on solutions to make the city centers of Rhône Alpes more attractive.
95% of commercial premises occupied in the city center of Valencia
In 10 years, the attractiveness of downtown Valencia has improved significantly. The commercial vacancy rate is 5%, it was 14% in 2014.”We have a lot of project leaders who come knocking on Valence's door, unfortunately we cannot satisfy everyone” explains Georges Rastklan, deputy mayor of Valence in charge of trade.
In rue Madier de Montjau, a catering business opened in 2022 has already closed. “Business for sale” can be read on a poster taped to the window. If there are still some vacant premises, others have found buyers. On this same street, a shop selling second-hand products and a café opened this year. In just a few months, Cash-Express manager Emmanuel Mazurkiewiez has already seen many customers: “there was a good reception because many found it a shame to have this type of business only on the outskirts“.
In 2023, there was 76 openings or takeovers in the city center. “Our goal is to maintain a vacancy rate of 3 to 4% to bring turnover, so that business can be taken over and so that creations can be brought in.” continues elected official Georges Rastklan.
Downtown Valencia has 715 active businesses.
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