Bergen without the British: How the withdrawal changed city life

Bergen without the British: How the withdrawal changed city life

Ten years ago, more precisely in August 2015, the last British armed forces and their families left Bergen in the Lüneburg Heath. The effects are still noticeable today, not only in the cityscape, but also in the social interaction of the residents. How cz.de reports, British cultural influence has declined sharply since then. It is estimated that a few hundred Brits still live in the region, while many shops and pubs have had to close their doors as sales have dried up.

In particular, the decline in established traditions and social life have caused problems for many locals. The Shepherds Inn, one of the last remaining pubs, still attracts large crowds on Thursdays and is in some ways a testament to the once lively nightlife, now much in decline. With the departure of the British, the city has lost a lot of residents in recent years, around 3,000 between 2012 and 2015 alone - a fifth of the total population.

Change in the cityscape and real estate market

Over the years, Bergen has struggled with the vacancy of around 1,000 apartments. Mayor Claudia Dettmar-Müller emphasizes that vacancies and declining purchasing power represent major challenges. Despite these difficulties, the city has experienced positive development since 2015. However, it remains to be emphasized that the emigration and the associated social isolation have left many residents who remain behind feeling uneasy.

Liz and Richard Auld, who decided to stay in Bergen after Richard's service in the British Army, illustrate different paths to integration. Liz runs the Auld Vintage shop while Richard works in security. Their case also shows that not all Britons left the region. Richards was destined to return to England in the early 1990s, but the lifestyle and community in Germany made him stay.

The British community in Bergen

The relationship between Germans and British in Bergen was always mixed. Some Britons integrated deeply into social life by marrying Germans and forming marriage unions, while others remained more apart from the community. However, the absence of the British armed forces has had a noticeable impact on exchanges and cultural life in the city. The loss of a vibrant community is also symbolic, like the loss of a grandmother, often seen as a bearer of tradition and love - a sentimental parallel that resonates with the mourning of the city's British character.

However, the challenges do not go unnoticed. As the number of remaining British residents declines, Bergen faces new directions and opportunities to make the city attractive and revitalize the community. Here it is up to the local actors to develop good skills and use the remaining resources creatively.

For many, the pain of lost traditions remains alive. Like the memories of a beloved grandmother who was irreplaceable to her family, the British community in Bergen could live on in people's hearts and create new forms of togetherness.