Bern-Netzwerk Interview: Westside and Bernaqua

We arrived in a tram branded with “15 Years of Westside” – clearly a milestone year for you. What would you say is Westside’s biggest achievement since its opening?

Peter: I’ve been involved from the very beginning – in 2008, I led Westside’s first leasing process. After that, I helped establish the centre management and was responsible for leasing and marketing, also in coordination with other centres. The opening was certainly a highlight – but even more so was the transformation the centre has undergone. Initially, positioning was a challenge. But we listened closely to our customers, involved them in the process and adapted the offer accordingly – continuously improving along the way.

Nicole: That journey of consistent, customer-focused development is the highlight for me as well. Our mix of tenants defines the leisure experience here. That’s why we actively seek partners who help us offer something truly unique – something guests can’t find anywhere else.

Peter: Of course, there were challenges – like Globus leaving or the impact of the pandemic. But as the person now responsible for the centre, I can say: we launched 15 years ago, and today we’re in a strong position. And the transformation continues – a centre like Westside must never become static.

You mentioned that the transformation continues. Where is the journey heading?

Peter: Right now, we’re focused on celebrating our 15-year anniversary. Starting in mid-June, we’ll have small events and activations in the centre – and it will all culminate in a big celebration from 26 to 29 October 2023. We want this to be more than just a one-off event – it should be a meaningful thank-you to our tenants and customers, with a lasting impact. At the same time, we’re planning further projects, such as installing photovoltaic panels across the entire roof.

Nicole: Another key vision for the centre is to deepen collaboration between our tenants. At Bernaqua, for example, we’ve strengthened our cooperation with MedBase to better meet the holistic needs of our guests. Customers clearly benefit when services are coordinated – and although we already offer several successful packages, there’s still a lot of room to grow.

Peter: Let me share two good examples: We have the Nooch restaurant and an Asian grocery shop. Guests who enjoy the food can buy the ingredients to recreate the meals at home. And we’re planning a package where after a Thai massage, you can enjoy a discounted meal at Nooch – a great combo offer.

That sounds very much like what the Bern Network is about. You're still quite new to it – what are your expectations?

Peter: I’m sure this will lead to some great stories. My initial motivation actually came from the printed map for Cultural Autumn 2022 – Westside wasn’t included. Yet we’re clearly a cultural hub. That’s where I see great potential for collaboration. We have eleven cinemas, a hotel with 144 rooms, spacious corridors, a stage-like area in the Food Corner, and an exhibition space on the second floor. There are plenty of opportunities to realise something in cooperation with other players.

Nicole: I’m currently in touch with Bühnen Bern – also part of the network. They’re looking for new training spaces, and we’re working on a solution that benefits both sides. I already have some concrete ideas. Especially in the fitness area, we’re open to offering tailored programmes for companies. I find it exciting to go beyond just targeting end customers and include other groups.

Westside welcomes a high number of guests every day – especially on weekends. In the Bern Network, the exchange of footfall is also a key topic. How can you and other players benefit from each other’s audiences?

Nicole: I can well imagine offering strong visibility to other players through our high visitor frequency – for example, via a temporary pop-up.

Peter: More exchange and collaboration would definitely open up new opportunities. Our exhibition space or the centre’s corridors could be used for events linked to museum exhibitions, for instance.

Nicole: There are many possibilities! For us, it’s important to take a closer look at the network now, meet the other players, engage in conversations – and also show what we can offer. I was genuinely pleased about the call from Bühnen Bern. Even if the contact came about through a personal connection, it highlights how important networking really is.

Thank you, Nicole and Peter, for the valuable insights. We look forward to continuing to accompany the growth of the Bern Network and the projects of its members.