Local trade in Flanders faces growing challenges from urbanisation and digitalisation, threatening the vibrancy of village and town centres. A new concept note by CD&V aims to revitalise these areas by ensuring essential services remain accessible in every municipality.
- Revitalize local trade and town centers
- Promote bakeries, butchers, cafés, shops
- Ensure cash withdrawal points in every town
- Counter urbanization and digitalization effects
- Support village life and local economy
On 2025-08-21 08:44:00, CD&V outlined its vision: each community should have a warm bakery, a butcher, a café, a neighbourhood shop, and a place to withdraw cash. This initiative targets the heart of local economies and social life, which have been under pressure in recent years.
How can local shops compete with online giants and sprawling cities? And what will it take to keep village life thriving? The answers lie in CD&V’s plan to support local businesses and strengthen community bonds.
Why is this initiative important now? The shift to urban centres and digital commerce has left many local businesses struggling. CD&V’s approach recognises that maintaining a mix of essential services is key to vibrant communities. The plan highlights:
- Ensuring basic daily needs are met locally
- Supporting small businesses like bakers and butchers
- Promoting social hubs such as cafés
- Providing convenient financial services for residents
Looking ahead, the success of this plan depends on collaboration between policymakers, entrepreneurs, and residents. Will communities embrace this push to revive local trade? The future of Flemish village life may well depend on it.
