Gistel, led by Mayor Gauthier Defreyne, reduced store vacancies from 7.4% to 4.5% (below Flanders’ 10.8%) by updating records, removing business taxes, hosting events, and promoting local shopping. The town checked empty stores to ensure accuracy, eliminated mistakes on their list, and encouraged businesses to support each other through events and initiatives, resulting in one of the lowest vacancy rates in West Flanders. Gistel’s efforts included distributing free oliebollen, organizing Santa Claus visits, and providing gift vouchers to employees to spend in local stores.
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The EU doesn’t need a deal with Trump
Ursula von der Leyen is meeting Donald Trump in Scotland to discuss trade as tariff deadlines approach, drawing insights from her recent summits with Japan and China. The article argues that the EU should not concede to US pressures, highlighting the unpredictable nature of Trump's negotiations and suggesting that both the US and EU have more to lose than appears. Want More Context? 🔎
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