With this new outlet, Bauhaus is expanding its presence in the canton of Bern and strengthening the supply of products for workshops, the home and the garden in the Oberaargau region.
The former M-Parc premises are currently being refurbished to accommodate the new business concept. In doing so, the company is opting to repurpose an existing retail site rather than constructing a completely new building.
Around 33 jobs are planned at the new site. Some of the staff will be transferred from existing Bauhaus specialist centres. In addition, new staff will be recruited. From summer 2027, two retail apprenticeships are set to be created.
This development is of interest to regional location development in several respects. An existing retail property is being given new economic prospects, jobs are being secured or created, and the regional shopping offering is being expanded.
This conversion demonstrates the importance of adaptable commercial spaces for structural change in the retail sector. Particularly in the case of large-scale retail sites, it is crucial that buildings and access infrastructure allow for subsequent use by other operators.
For property owners, re-letting existing spaces can represent an economically attractive alternative to large-scale new developments. Langenthal provides a recent example of this.
