City council has approved four open Sundays for 2018
At its meeting today, Chemnitz City Council decided on the dates for four Sundays open for business in Chemnitz in the coming year.
On the following four days, Chemnitz retail outlets may be open between 12 noon and 6 pm:
- Sunday, 30 September 2018 - on the occasion of the "875 years of Marktplatz" event
- Sunday, 4 November 2018 - on the occasion of the "Chemnitz Culture Days" event
- Sunday, 2 December 2018 - on the occasion of the Chemnitz Christmas markets
- Sunday, 16 December 2018 - on the occasion of the Chemnitz Christmas markets
The regulation is based on the Saxon Shop Opening Act of 1 December 2010, which allows shops to open for special occasions on up to four Sundays per year from 12 noon to 6 pm.
To mark the anniversary year of the first documented mention of the monastic market settlement of Chemnitz and the granting of market rights, the event "875 Years of Market Square" will take place in Chemnitz city centre on the weekend of 28 to 30 September 2018, along with many other activities. The city centre shops and department stores are organising joint activities on predetermined themes and offering various programmes and activities. Around 200,000 visitors from Chemnitz and the surrounding area are expected on Sunday, 30 September, the highlight of the event weekend.
The "Chemnitz Culture Days" are intended to build on the events of the past six years. The Sunday opening on 4 November 2018 will once again bring together trade and culture in the city of Chemnitz. The theme of culture will take centre stage every year and be presented in a complex and attractive way. Among other things, musical performances, exhibitions and shows are planned, complemented by a varied programme for children.
The Sunday openings on 2 and 16 December 2018 will take place in addition to the traditional Christmas markets. Every year, the Christmas markets are a popular attraction for numerous visitors. The elaborately and lovingly designed Christmas markets in the city centre and the shopping centres invite numerous visitors, young and old, to stroll and linger.
The events listed are traditional and unusual events in the city of Chemnitz that have a special attraction for visitors. Experience has shown that they attract a considerable number of visitors.
The aim of opening shops on Sundays is to give retailers the opportunity to be involved in the events and to capitalise on the crowds of visitors.
Open Sundays contribute significantly to the revitalisation of the city. Depending on the event, around 100,000 to 200,000 visitors come to the city centre, the shopping centres and all other participating retail locations on a Sunday open for business. This includes a steady increase in customers from the northern Czech Republic.
In addition to direct retail sales, many other businesses (catering, local and long-distance transport, etc.) and facilities in the city also benefit from the Sunday openings.