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Last Saturday, many people found their way to the square. Corps muster, bunads show, car exhibition, MANNdager in the city centre, and a visit by the fire truck and the fire teddy bear Bjørnis were among the activities that drew people to the city centre. But who is behind the coordination and marketing of these activities? It is Larvik By AS.
Larvik by AS was first established as a town center association, but was converted into a limited company in 1996 in line with the development of similar companies. Our events, such as the popular Nattby event and the magical Christmas tree lighting, are cornerstones of our business. We also take responsibility for lighting up the city with Christmas lights, coordinating and marketing low-threshold activities such as the second-hand market, blue light day and Eat Out Week. In addition, we are responsible for Christmas lights and now in June we are ready to receive, plant and water flowers, which Larvik municipality is unable to do due to tight budgets. We participate in the municipality’s planning processes on behalf of our members and we accept complaints when the toilets under the square need cleaning. We do this with pleasure because we know that without co-creation and good cooperation between Larvik municipality and the city centre’s actors, we will not succeed in creating a vibrant city.
Larvik by AS’s income comes from marketing contributions from our members and from the popular Larvik By gift card, which can be used with most of our members and which makes it easy for residents to support their favorite businesses while enjoying the best Larvik by has to offer Offering. City gift cards are sold for over NOK 3 million each year. Contrary to what many people believe, the company does not receive large contributions from the municipality, and in these demanding economic times we do not expect it either. But to succeed in our mission, we need more people on the team!
In 2023, after a long period without a manager during and after the pandemic, we hired Anne Ødegaarden Bjørstad as general manager in an 80% position. Anne, who came to us after a long career in Varner-Gruppen, brought with her a big smile and a lot of courage, and behind her is an ambitious and hard-working board. Her positive attitude and determination have started to show results, and she has brought in 20 new members since she started in August last year. Today, the company has 100 members, ranging from shop drivers and owners to the Amfi centre, Farris Bad, and Quality Grand Hotel Larvik, as well as restaurants, lawyers, car dealers, brokers and farm owners. Everyone is welcome, but we are missing many as the membership has almost halved since the peak year of 2018, when we had over 170 members.
In the last ten years, Larvik municipality has spent considerable funds on the square and the result has been an open and beautiful square that offers many opportunities to create life and activity. But buildings, roads and good plans do not create life alone. The beautiful kiosks are not filled with exhibitors and sellers without continuous work on this. To create life in the city center requires active effort and interaction between the actors in the city centre.
The center of Larvik is neither dead nor lying dormant, it lives, and together with our committed members we will do our best to not only ensure that it continues to live, but that it continues to grow and flourish! We believe Larvik City is doing an important job, but we can no longer take free passengers with us. To continue to create life in the city centre, we need “everyone” to be involved! We are now sending out an open invitation to all businesses in the city center and other businesses in Larvik who see the value of a vibrant city centre. Join the community! Join us in creating life in the city centre!
