Public establishments in the Padua area: the first half of 2025 is a mixed bag.

Bars, restaurants, pizzerias, trattorias, pastry shops, ice cream parlors, and nightclubs in the province of Padua are facing a mixed first half of 2025. This is revealed by an analysis conducted by APPE (Provincial Association of Public Businesses) based on data from INPS and Infocamere: on the one hand, stable employment is increasing, on the other, the erosion of the entrepreneurial fabric continues.

As of June 30, 2025, there were 4,083 active businesses in Padua and its province, 33 fewer than in December 2024. A comparison with the first half of 2024 shows an even more marked decline: 59 fewer businesses in one year. The reasons? Economic uncertainty, rising costs, and difficulty finding staff. Compared to 2024, there were 73 fewer sole proprietorships and partnerships and 14 fewer joint-stock companies and other entities. Today, nearly one in five businesses is managed by an LLC, LLCs, or joint-stock company, confirming a gradual transformation in the sector. "This is a sign of ongoing evolution," comments Federica Luni, President of Appe, "and also reflects the arrival of franchises and chains, especially in urban centers."

Good news on the employment front: in 2024, 1,043 more jobs were created than the previous year, for an average total of 14,599. But the real turning point lies in the quality of employment: 62% of contracts are permanent (and growing), 51% are part-time, and 49% are full-time, a balanced figure consistent with industry trends. "Not only are jobs increasing," Luni emphasizes, "but working conditions are also improving. This is a trend that must be recognized and supported, including by combating the phenomenon of contract dumping."

The demographic data speaks for itself: 53% of employees are women, 30% are foreigners, and 56% are between 20 and 40 years old. "We're talking about a sector that employs young people, includes people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and offers real opportunities for growth and professional development. However, it needs to be supported with effective training and job placement tools, also to overcome the difficulties in recruiting staff," Luni emphasizes.

With over 4,000 active businesses, public establishments are a key pillar of social cohesion: open on holidays, in the evenings, even in peripheral areas. "We ask institutions," Luni pleads, "to simplify staff hiring, restaurant management, event planning, and access to funding. Only in this way can we continue to offer essential services to citizens, create jobs, and contribute to the vitality of historic city centers." An analysis of business survival rates paints a clear picture: only 46% of businesses launched in 2017 are still active in 2024. But the figure improves significantly among joint-stock companies, a sign that greater structure pays off over time. "The most solid businesses are able to hold their ground better," Luni concludes, "but margins are increasingly thinning. We ask institutions to heed our cry of alarm before the situation becomes truly unsustainable."