Associations and clubs from Hanover's Nordstadt fear dismissal

Hanover. A number of very different associations and non-profit institutions in the northern part of the city and in Hainholz are at acute risk of termination. The most recent example: The Hanover girls' house on the northern Engelbosteler Damm is looking for new rooms. The house in which the club offers numerous events for girls is to be sold.

In the same building, a former cinema, there are also two small, dedicated music clubs. The “Nordstadtbraut” recently received an award as one of the best live music venues in all of Germany. The one-woman project works primarily through self-exploitation. And next door is the “Hannover Subculture”, which organizes concerts for things like death metal, synth pop and rockabilly.

Termination for social institutions and clubs

Conditions are obviously becoming difficult for non-commercial providers. The Mecklenheide workshop meeting had to vacate its main premises on Helmkestrasse in December 2024. And fears for his existence. The project for the long-term unemployed has been searching in vain for a replacement for six months.

The punk club Kopernikus, or “Kopi” for short, on Kopernikusstrasse has been struggling for a solution for years. Deutsche Bahn terminated the association's premises on the tracks years ago because it wanted to expand its facilities. The city administration has been looking for suitable replacement rooms for the punks for more than a year.

The AWO seniors' meeting in the northern part of the city has already had to move out of another location and is making provision for intercultural senior work for its groups. “When developing a possible new concept for the North City Library, the integration of offers for seniors is being considered,” says Stefan Kaczmarek, North City District Manager.

Must fear for the existence of his club: “Subculture” operator Jens Klostermann, here in an archive photo from the Corona period.

Source: Tim Schaarschmidt

City support required

The SPD has now asked the North District Council for information about the extent to which the city of Hanover can support the affected facilities. The Mecklenheide workshop meeting, for example, was interested in part of the site at the Hanover Music Center and in the former Paul Dohrmann School.

But there are other plans for the spacious property near the music center on Emil-Meyer-Straße. Apart from the leasehold agreement for the music center, the city will market the other areas commercially and thus finance the urban development. A study will also examine whether the area along the railway in Vahrenwald is suitable for youth, sport and free culture.

“We support the sponsors and associations as far as we can in finding what they need.” “However, the responsible leadership remains with them,” says Kaczmarek. However, the city did not find anything when it examined its own properties. “The city has no ability to influence the existing landlords because the rental agreements are contracts under private law,” says the city district manager.

SPD councilor Robert Nicholls emphasized that the search for a successor solution for the Mecklenheide workshop meeting was really urgent. The project provides employment opportunities for numerous long-term unemployed people. “What about the Paul Dohrmann School?” asked Nicholls.

Fares Rahabi (left) drew attention to the building at Engelbosteler Damm 87. “This is a special corner, there are two music clubs located there, close to the center, that have a special impact.” They fear that they will soon have a problem, because Commercial rental agreements can usually be terminated at short notice. “The city adorns itself with the title of City of Music.” They have to deliver on their support.”

HAZ