Gistel Reduces Vacancy Rate to 4.5% Under Mayor Defreyne’s Leadership

Gistel (Eurotoday) – Under the leadership of Mayor Gauthier Defreyne, Gistel successfully lowered store vacancy rates from 7.4% to 4.5%, significantly below the Flanders average of 10.8%. This achievement was made possible through updated record-keeping, the removal of business taxes, the organization of events, and active promotion of local shopping.

The town of Gistel, located in Belgium’s province of West Flanders, along with its smaller communities of Zevekote, Moere, and Snaaskerke, is home to around 50 businesses. In recent years, the town struggled with high vacancy rates in commercial spaces. However, by 2025, the number of empty stores in Gistel significantly dropped from 7.4% to 4.5%, well below the regional Flanders average of 10.8%.

As a result, Gistel now boasts one of the lowest store vacancy rates in the West Flanders region. Mayor Gauthier Defreyne attributes this success to deliberate efforts to tackle the issue. He explained that one key measure was verifying the accuracy of the vacant store registry to ensure all listed properties were indeed empty, enabling a clearer assessment of the situation.

Mayor Gauthier Defreyne (Team Mayor) stated:

These figures are always registered in January. In Flanders, the vacancy rate is an average of 10.8 percent. So we are well below that in Gistel and have one of the lowest vacancy rates in West Flanders. And that has several reasons.

How Gistel Reduced Store Vacancies and Stimulated Business

Local officials explained that in order to determine which stores were blank”>genuinely vacant, the municipality conducted thorough inspections. They assessed whether properties were still used for business or had been converted for residential or alternative purposes. If a former commercial property had become a residence, the local government requested that the owner officially change the designation, ensuring it was no longer classified as a vacant store.

For stores that remained empty, the town continued monitoring and maintaining accurate records. Officials stated that this process minimized errors in vacancy listings, improved record-keeping, and provided a more precise count of unoccupied shops, contributing to the town's dramatically improved vacancy rate.

Another major factor in Gistel’s success was the abolition of business taxes, an initiative aimed at making it easier for entrepreneurs to start or maintain businesses in the town. Additionally, local authorities introduced programs to encourage consumer spending in local establishments. For example, they incentivized shopping by offering free oliebollen (Dutch-style donuts) to residents who presented receipts from local businesses.

To further boost commercial activity, Santa Claus made appearances in shopping districts to attract more visitors during the holiday season. Additionally, municipal employees were given gift vouchers redeemable exclusively at local stores. A detailed brochure featuring all local businesses was also distributed, providing information on entrepreneurship and opportunities in Gistel.

Gistel also emphasized collaboration among businesses. The municipality organized networking events where entrepreneurs could connect, share ideas, and form potential partnerships. Business owners were encouraged to source products and services locally whenever possible, fostering a stronger commercial ecosystem within the town. Authorities reported that these initiatives significantly contributed to the town's economic revival.