There is plenty of space in one of the prominent business premises that used to house Sydbank, right in the centre of Billund, following the bank merger. But the new owners are not necessarily planning to take the first tenant who comes knocking.
Estate agency couple Elke Skytte and Simon Nicolajsen Jørgensen from Estate Billund have bought the former bank premises. Estate will move from its current rented premises right next door into part of the building.
That leaves around 250 square metres to rent out. And the question is not just who should move in – but also what.
– We could just say yes to the people who have contacted us, and leave it at that. But we could also explore the possibilities and ask residents what they would like to see in town, says Simon Nicolajsen Jørgensen.
The new owners would like to see if they can find a tenant who could also bring something new to Billund. According to Simon Nicolajsen Jørgensen, the premises offer several possibilities. The layout can be changed, a future tenant can have their own entrance, and there is parking right outside.
So what is the town missing?
Something that brings life
BillundOnline also put that question to Morten Winther Korsgaard, strategic adviser and special consultant for business development and sales at Billund Municipality. He would not necessarily go looking for another traditional retail shop.
– I think it should be something that can bring more life to the town, he says.
Among other things, he points to concepts that combine several things. In larger towns, for example, ceramic cafés and jewellery workshops have opened, where customers do more than just come in, buy something and leave again.
The idea is to create activities and places where people want to stay a little longer.
– People like watching people. As soon as someone is sitting out there, it attracts more people, says Morten Winther Korsgaard.
The world to Billund – or Billund to the world
According to Morten Winther Korsgaard, the location makes the possibilities especially interesting. Billund has many international residents as well as a great many visitors from abroad. That is why he sees two quite different ways to go.
– Either something that brings the world to Billund, or something that takes Billund to the world, he says.
One possibility could be a concept offering international products that the town’s many international residents miss from their home countries.
The other could go in the opposite direction: Danish goods, design and local crafts aimed at the many international visitors who would like to take home something other than the classic souvenirs.
It should also be something for local residents
But in Morten Winther Korsgaard’s view, a future tenant should ideally be able to do more than rely on tourists.
– We need to serve our tourists, but we also need to serve the people who live in town, he says.
That is why he hopes for a concept that can work all year round and does not rely solely on the periods when the tourist attractions bring lots of people through town.
– Billund is both a tourist destination and a town where people live, says Morten Winther Korsgaard.
Estate has not yet named its future neighbour. And perhaps a BillundOnline reader has just the right idea. If you could decide: what should move into the former bank premises in the centre of Billund? Write in the Facebook comments and tell us what you would like to see.
