FDP Norderney: Jannes, please introduce yourself briefly.

Jannes Hollbach: My name is Jannes Hollbach, I am an entrepreneur on Norderney and run a concept store, a combination of café/bar and fashion boutique. This puts me right in the middle of things every day, and I experience very directly what makes our town center strong — but also where we need to improve.

FDP Norderney: Why do you want to stand for the Norderney Town Council?

Jannes Hollbach: Because I don't just want to watch when things change, but want to actively help shape them. Norderney depends on a functioning, attractive town center and on many smaller businesses active in tourism. These businesses create jobs, invest locally and shape the image of our island. They need strong political representation and a voice that advocates for them and for the attractiveness of the town center.

FDP Norderney: What is particularly important to you in local politics?

Jannes Hollbach: It is important to me that politics remains practical. Decisions must be measured by whether they work in everyday life. Entrepreneurs, hospitality, retail and tourism businesses need reliable framework conditions, short channels and a municipality that enables rather than obstructs. A contact person who is genuinely there for them.

FDP Norderney: Do you feel that political priorities on Norderney have shifted in recent years?

Jannes Hollbach: Yes, I do have that feeling. From my perspective, today it is too rarely about strengthening entrepreneurial spirit, enabling investment and seeing businesses as important partners of the town. Yet that is precisely the foundation for much of what we want and must afford as a municipality.

Whether hospital, housing, infrastructure or other important tasks: the money spent on these must first be earned. That is why local economic policy must not be a marginal issue.

FDP Norderney: Why does the FDP suit you particularly well politically?

Jannes Hollbach: Because the FDP stands for personal responsibility, entrepreneurial spirit and pragmatic solutions. People who build something, invest and create jobs should be supported, rather than constantly facing new obstacles. This approach fits me exactly.

FDP Norderney: Is there an issue that is particularly close to your heart?

Jannes Hollbach: Yes, absolutely: enhancing the appeal of our town center — in both retail and hospitality. Tourism on Norderney does not only take place on the beach. It also takes place in the town center: in the shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels, service businesses and on our streets and squares. When these areas are attractive, guests, locals and businesses all benefit. I like to see people still sitting on terraces at 10 PM; in summer it is still light, after all.

FDP Norderney: What specifically should change in your view?

Jannes Hollbach: We must pay greater attention to ensuring that our town center is not just administered, but actively developed. Poststraße is a central issue in this regard. It must no longer feel like a draughty exposed-concrete pedestrian zone from the 1970s, but must become an attractive place to spend time. For this we need appealing paving, greater design quality, better opportunities for hospitality and effective wind protection. People should not just walk through, but enjoy lingering there. Strandstraße and the red square also have great potential to provide our guests with a pleasant place.

Another important point for me is the design of the site of the former Haus der Insel. Temporary use for a Ferris wheel or hospitality does not give our town center the character it needs.

FDP Norderney: Why is this issue so important for Norderney?

Jannes Hollbach: The town center is the face of our island. When it is vibrant, well-maintained and welcoming, everyone benefits. Norderney depends on many small and medium-sized businesses that ensure day after day that guests feel comfortable and locals have good services available. These businesses must be more strongly considered and represented in municipal politics.

FDP Norderney: What do you want to achieve overall on the council?

Jannes Hollbach: I want to advocate for a policy that brings together economic thinking, quality of life and sustainability. We need a town center that functions, is attractive and allows development. This includes less bureaucracy, more pragmatism and a clear understanding that only strong businesses enable a strong town of Norderney. Only as a team are we strong; Norderney businesses and politics as well as town administration must work more closely together to meet the challenges of our time.

FDP Norderney: What would you like to say to the voters?

Jannes Hollbach: I am standing because I want to actively help shape Norderney. As an entrepreneur, I know how important clear decisions, reliability and courage for new ideas are. Anyone who wants a vibrant town center, strong smaller businesses, good hospitality and retail and pragmatic municipal politics can count on me as a contact person.