Congress Hotel facing closure - Lord Mayor: "Difficult path"

Mayor Sven Schulze sees no easy solutions following the closure of the Chemnitz Congress Hotel, which was announced at short notice. The closure affects the city in a very sensitive area, said the SPD politician in the city council. "It will be a difficult path." The city is actively involved within the scope of its possibilities, but will not be able to be a hotel operator.

Talks with employees and owners

After a meeting with the employees on Tuesday, he spoke with the owner of the property today. Schulze spoke of a constructive exchange, although confidentiality was agreed. The focus is now on the 40 or so employees of the hotel, he said. The fact that the works council is currently negotiating a social plan is important and a good thing. According to Schulze, the two stores on the first floor of the property can continue to operate.

Last week, the GCH Hotel Group announced the closure of the striking hotel in the heart of the city on January 31 without giving any reasons. More than 200 rooms were last offered.

The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) wants to fight to avert this decision. "The Congress Hotel is a landmark of the city of Chemnitz and an important employer," it said in a statement. The NGG is calling for all options to be examined.

Opened in 1974 as the Interhotel

The almost 100-metre-high Congress Hotel was opened in 1974 as the Interhotel. These were high-class hotels in the former GDR. Architecturally, it forms an ensemble with the Stadthalle and the adjacent congress center in the immediate vicinity of the nationally known Karl Marx Monument.