Now that the city council has approved the extension of the future project "Testraum-Allee" until the end of 2027, the application phase has begun. Entrepreneurs, business founders and start-ups can apply with their business ideas. Interested parties can either apply for the use of the "Testraum" at Grosse Marktstrasse 39 or for start-up financing from the "Testraum Fund". "With the 'Testraum-Allee' future concept, we want to make it easier for entrepreneurs to get started in business, promote creative ideas and make it possible for new, individual stores to set up in our city center. Especially in this day and age, it is important that there are people who have the courage to try something new - and it is precisely this courage that we support," explains Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke.
Information and applications:
The "test room" is around 46 square meters in size and has modular furnishings. Entrepreneurs can test their business ideas here in a central location for at least three months rent-free - or longer if they wish. "Anyone wishing to rent the 'test space' should have a convincing brand concept - and above all a desire to bring this to Offenbach's city center and test it," explains project manager Isabel Glavašević. "This could be a new, creative product or one that has previously only been sold online and is now to be tested in a bricks-and-mortar store. The 'test room' concept allows business ideas to be tried out at low risk. We look forward to new concepts and bold ideas for Offenbach's city center." Each application will be evaluated by the project team and applicants will be invited to personal consultations. However, Glavašević also emphasizes that there are exclusion criteria: "The business concept must enrich the city centre and make it more colourful. For example, restaurants, kiosks, shisha bars and betting shops are excluded." Details of the requirements and exclusion criteria are explained on the application website.
In parallel to the "Test Space", interested parties can apply for funding from the "Test Space Fund". The funding, which is financed from the city budget, is intended for start-ups and entrepreneurs who want to open a business in Offenbach's city center. Store operators supported by the "Test Space Fund" receive a rent subsidy of 500 euros per month, up to a maximum of 6,000 euros in total for a maximum term of twelve months. In addition, there is a one-off grant of a maximum of 5,000 euros, which can be used for equipment or renovation work. Funding is provided by the "Testraum-Allee" team of experts: from design and architecture to communication.
This year's first "Test Space" recipient was Tanja Ronaghi. After three months of selling fashion from her label "tanjaronaghi" and products from other designers in the "Testraum", she will open a permanent store on Hugenottenplatz in February 2026. For the designer, one thing is clear: "The 'Testraum-Allee' project is a stroke of luck for me. Without the opportunity to try myself out in the 'Testraum', I might not have dared to open my own store so quickly. My time in the 'test room' showed me: I can do it - and I want to. The fact that the city is now supporting me with the 'Testraum Fund' makes it easier for me to start my own store and gives me a lot of security."
The city wants to support up to six store concepts with the "Test Space Fund" over the next two years.
About the "Test Room Alley"
The "Testraum-Allee" is a project of the city center future concept in cooperation with Agentur Mitte and the Offenbach offensiv association, which is close to the Offenbach Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and aims to sustainably upgrade and expand the retail sector. The project focuses on the conversion and prevention of vacancies with the aim of attracting high-quality retail, catering and service businesses to Offenbach's city center that are economically viable in the long term. This is intended to increase the attractiveness of Offenbach's city center and provide impetus for a vibrant and lively city center from which businesses, owners and citizens alike can benefit. Four projects have been implemented and supported so far: the temporary OFTEN department store, the "Doki Doki" concept store, the mini-market at M. Schneider and the test room. The first store supported by the "Testraum Fund" will open in February 2026.
More information on the future concept for the city center
German city centers are undergoing radical change as a result of the shrinking retail sector. Against this backdrop, the city of Offenbach developed a future concept for the city center back in 2020 together with the people of Offenbach, the Offenbach offensiv association, which is close to the Offenbach Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the planners from urbanista - a concept that now comprises 16 projects. The aim, as Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke emphasizes, is to strengthen the remaining retail trade and enable new trade. However, because it will no longer be like it used to be, completely new reasons to come to the city center are also to be created. The 16 projects of the city center future concept are therefore deliberately different offerings in order to maintain the heart of the city as an inviting and lively place. More than half of the projects are already being implemented. The city of Offenbach is working hard to shape change - together with numerous inner-city and external stakeholders. Together, they want to make the city center lovable.
