Increase in Pub Deaths Reflected in Recent Statistics
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes in the gastronomy sector worldwide, with Neuss, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, experiencing similar impacts between 2019 and 2021.
### Gastronomy Businesses in Neuss
In 2019, the gastronomy sector in Neuss was thriving, with a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, bars, and catering businesses operating normally. However, the onset of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and social distancing measures led to a decrease in the number of active gastronomy businesses. By the end of 2021, the number of businesses had not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with a decrease from 1,057 to 972 establishments.
The decline was not limited to restaurants and cafes. The number of bars, clubs, and pubs in Neuss decreased by 22.1 percent from 2019 to 2021, reaching 7,600 businesses. The number of bars specifically decreased from 208 to 184.
### Employment in the Gastronomy Sector
Employment levels in the gastronomy sector also suffered during this period. In 2019, employment was stable, but by 2020, there was a marked decrease due to reduced working hours, layoffs, and furloughs. The number of socially insured employees in the beverage-focused gastronomy sector decreased by 12.3 percent to 9,600, and the number of other paid employees (predominantly part-time) decreased by a quarter, with a 23.1 percent drop in the number of mini-jobbers.
### The Beverage-focused Gastronomy Sector
The beverage-focused gastronomy sector in Neuss was particularly affected, with a decrease in the number of businesses from 2019 to 2021. The number of socially insured employees in this sector decreased by 12.3 percent to 9,600, and the number of mini-jobbers decreased by almost a third, from 12,300 to 8,600 people.
### The Impact on Neuss's Culinary Landscape
The decline in gastronomy businesses in Neuss may have contributed to a shift in the city's culinary landscape, potentially leading to changes in the types of establishments available and the dining experiences offered.
### The Broader Trend in North Rhine-Westphalia
The decline in the number of gastronomy businesses in Neuss mirrors the overall trend in North Rhine-Westphalia, where the number of such businesses decreased by 9.5 percent. This decrease in the gastronomy sector resulted in a decrease in the total number of socially insured employees from 1,311,100 to 1,215,500.
In conclusion, the Corona pandemic and its related restrictions contributed to the development of decreasing gastronomy businesses in North Rhine-Westphalia, with Neuss being no exception. The recovery process is ongoing, with many businesses adapting to new operational models, including takeout and delivery services. However, full recovery to pre-pandemic levels has not been achieved yet, reflecting the ongoing challenges in the sector.
The decline in gastronomy businesses was not exclusive to Neuss, as the industry across North Rhine-Westphalia saw a decrease of 9.5%, resulting in a shrinking workforce in the sector. This trend affected various segments, with the finance, retail, and business sectors intertwined as many gastronomy establishments experienced financial hardships and layoffs.
The shift in Neuss's culinary landscape was further influenced by the changes in the finance, retail, and business sectors, as reduced consumer spending on non-essential items and increased financial constraints impacted the gastronomy industry.
