Members of the Leeuwarden business federation, 058, are in support of the plans for the new SC Cambuur stadium and retail centre near the World Trade Center Expo.
Translation by Thomas Ansell
Omrop Fryslân reports that the members of the 058 federation, which represents around 85 percent of the entrepreneurs in Leeuwarden, believe the new development will enrich the city. A final decision on the future of the sports facility and its adjoining retail, dining and recreation businesses will come in the next two weeks after years of planning. SC Cambuur, the Leeuwarden football team which is currently ranked ninth in the Eerste Divisie, is set to move to the new stadium in the coming years.
Whilst the reaction from the business community in general has been positive, individual entrepreneurs have expressed some reservations about the impact of competition in a relatively small area. The main issue is deterioration of the inner city district, which currently has a significant number of vacant commercial lots.
A spokesperson for the Initiaief Overbewinkeling (Surplus Shops Initiative) suggested that the city of Leeuwarden needs to focus on reducing the amount of space set aside for shopping, not increasing it. Some local residents have also expressed critical notes over the expected inconvenience around parking issues and noise and light pollution from the new stadium, but many others voiced support for the project and development of the area, including praise for the communication style of the municipality.
