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Dieting of Beizenschwil: A village is losing its home!
Homburg sheds light on the challenges of dying out in Switzerland and the adaptation strategies of rural restaurants.
Dieting of Beizenschwil: A village is losing its home!
There is a worrying trend in rural Niederhelfenschwil: the decline of traditional restaurants. The small inns that once served as cozy meeting places in the villages are increasingly disappearing. The “ Sternen ” restaurant is just one of many that is facing closure, which is why the village community fears for their last social meeting places. According to information from Tagblatt Niederhelferschwil is an example of the widespread problem of “pickling die-off” in Switzerland.
The closure of over 800 restaurants last year is alarming, especially in rural areas where traditional “rural restaurants” are threatened with extinction. Lukas von Bidder, a gastronomy consultant, explains that people's lifestyles have changed significantly. Villages are increasingly being used only for sleeping, while many leisure activities and expenses are shifting to cities. This development means that the villagers' identification with their community is dwindling, which has a negative impact on the restaurants. Loud SRF the population often no longer uses local services.
Changes in the catering industry
In addition, culinary preferences have changed. The classic lunch menu with coffee crème is less in demand and many people are turning to quick, healthy alternatives such as Birchermüesli instead. Restaurants have to fundamentally adapt their concept in order to survive, which means that a reduced offering with limited service for lunchtime is often no longer sufficient. In the evenings, a more varied offering should be provided to keep guests interested.
Another reason why many restaurants are closing is the unresolved succession problem. Often the children of innkeepers do not take over their parents' business. In addition, the economic reality contributes to the fact that many restaurants can only survive through the unpaid working hours of the owners. In addition, older landlords have difficulty accepting the innovative ideas of the newer generation.
The look into the future
Despite the worrying closure numbers, the total number of restaurants in Switzerland is not dramatic and there is still a high density of restaurants. In order to survive in these challenging times, restaurateurs must radically align themselves with the wishes of their guests and think entrepreneurially. The social value of these meeting places is undeniable, but they must also adapt to the new realities of the market in order to survive. The closure of the “ Sternen ” in Niederhelferschwil could represent the end of an era, while the communities have to look for solutions to preserve their restaurants.