It is slowly getting financially tight for the holiday home on the Ahorn. The beds in the house have been empty for months, especially for groups. The operator feels forgotten by politics.
Nachrodt-Wiblingwerde – “We definitely won’t be able to do it like this for much longer. Maybe until May ”, says Harald Bürzel, manager of the holiday home on the Ahorn. The house has been empty for months and is only financed through donations.
There is an eerie tranquility where children usually romp happily across the site, dads experience exciting adventures with the offspring on the father-child weekend, families enjoy their leisure time together and countless children experience unforgettable moments on a school trip. The big house, the campground and the playgrounds are empty.
No money for renovations
All employees are on short-time work. Only the Bürzel family holds the position. “We’re trying to maintain the house. As good as it can be, ”explains Harald Bürzel. Some hotels use the lockdown phase for more extensive renovation measures. This can only be dreamed of on the maple. “From what? We just don’t have the money for it. And the way it looks up to now, no group tours will be possible until summer, ”says the boss.
At the moment you still benefit from the willingness to donate. However, it goes back further and further. “We are very happy that the people help us so well with their donations. We do not get Corona aid. We had proceeds from the donations. We’re really on our own, ”explains Harald Bürzel.
Financial aid: “Nobody thinks of pure group houses”
Loans are not a solution. Because the family does not know how these could be repaid at some point. The operating family feels forgotten by politics. “Hotels and restaurants have everyone on the screen. The youth hostels also have a comparatively strong lobby. But nobody thinks of pure group houses at all – and our business model will be on hold for a long time, ”says Bürzel annoyed.
Harald Bürzel, operator of the holiday home on the Ahorn in Wiblingwerde
© Schäfer, Lars
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During the week the house is usually packed with students. Many schools – especially from the Ruhr area – have been using the offer for years. “Teachers keep calling and asking whether we can assess when we will continue, they would like to come. But how should we know that? ”Asks Harald Bürzel.
Actually, the high season starts now
At the weekend, the house lives from family camps, community trips or father-child weekends. “All of this is on hold for an uncertain time. The organizers don’t dare, I can understand that and those who dare don’t get their offers in full because the customers are very unsure, ”explains Der Bürzel. “We still have the bookings from last year until autumn. We would be really full. If only it were allowed to travel. ”
In the summer, the house proved that there is a good hygiene concept. Back then, affinity groups of up to 20 people were allowed to travel. “The rooms are big enough. The groups had their own corridors and areas. That wasn’t a problem at all. ”
At the moment he is only planning from week to week, says Harald Bürzel. It is difficult to maintain the motivation. Nevertheless: Nobody wants to give up on the Ahorn, because the hope that it will continue at some point remains. All information and current developments on the coronavirus in the MK can be found in our news blog.
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