Culture manager: The rubber factory is doing better than expected

The rubber factory was started in 1917 and produced rubber tires until 2006 when the production was finally shut down completely. What would happen to the empty premises was a lot of discussion.

Today, the rubber factory is an educational and cultural center with, among other things, a library, cinema and a large concert hall.

"It has exceeded expectations," says Lars Alkner, cultural director of Värnamo Municipality.

It is also noticed on the Värnamoborna that it has become a popular place.

- It is good for Värnamo that something happens so that it is not just a dead city, says Gabriella Bicok, resident in Värnamo.

But it was not a matter of course that the factory would become a cultural center and there were a lot of Värnamobor who questioned the cost of the construction which also dragged out at the time.

- It is still nothing compared to what it was like before we opened the Rubber Factory, says Lars Alkner.

He says that there has been much more discussion about the costs in the past and that many have now reconsidered their attitude after visiting the Rubber Factory.

- Sure, it cost a lot of money, but what would it cost if we had a city that constantly lost residents?