The Bar Industry in Indre Østfold: Current Situation and Future Opportunities

Top of the List: Key Figures and Development

Indre Østfold has a total of 3 bars registered in the municipality, according to the latest data. Sales in the industry reached a peak of 1.5 million Norwegian kroner in 2017, before collapsing to zero from 2018 onward. Workforce development shows a more complex wave: from 11 employees in 2016 to a peak of 26 in 2017, but with a dramatic decline to 3 employees in 2026. One of the three bars in the municipality, Askim Corner Bar Da, is registered as bankrupt, which clearly affected both sales and employees.

Bankruptcy and Organizational Forms

The bar industry in Indre Østfold has been marked by bankruptcy. Askim Corner Bar Da (Rådhusgata 21) is one of the two bankrupt bars registered in the municipality. The second, Askim Corner Bar Da Konkursbo, is a newly registered KBO (bankruptcy estate). The organizational forms of the registered bars show that Lack Bar As (Spydeberg) is an AS, while bankrupt bars are registered as DA and KBO. This shows a variation in business structure, even though there are few companies in the industry.

Sales and Employees: A Decline in the Focus Area

Sales in the bar industry in Indre Østfold had strong growth of +14.8% from 2016 to 2017, before collapsing with -100% from 2017 to 2018. There has been no sales in the municipality since 2018. Workforce development shows a more gradual change: from 11 employees in 2016 to 26 in 2017, but with a decline to 15 employees in 2021 and 2022, before increasing to 19 in 2023 and then collapsing to 3 employees in 2026. This decline is strongly affected by the bankruptcy of Askim Corner Bar Da, which had 0 employees in 2026.

Registered Companies and Organizational Forms

In Indre Østfold, the following companies are registered in the bar industry:

The organizational forms show that AS (limited liability company) is the only company not in bankruptcy. Bankrupt companies are registered as DA (sole proprietorship) and KBO (bankruptcy estate).

Geographical Distribution of the Business

The bar industry in Indre Østfold is strongly concentrated in Spydeberg and Askim:

• Spydeberg: 1 bar (Lack Bar As) with 6 employees.
• Askim: 2 bars, one of which (Askim Corner Bar Da) is bankrupt.

There are no registered bars in other districts of the municipality. This shows a clear geographical concentration of the business in these two areas.

Dynamics and Bankruptcies: An Unstable Sector

The bar industry in Indre Østfold has been marked by 1 bankruptcy in 2026, which has affected both sales and employees. Askim Corner Bar Da (Rådhusgata 21) is the only bankrupt bar registered in the municipality. This bankruptcy has led to a total decline in sales to zero from 2018 onward, as well as a drastic decline in the number of employees from 15 in 2021 to 3 employees in 2026. There are no new companies registered in the industry after 2023, which indicates a low level of business dynamics in the sector.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs: A Challenging, but Possible Sector

For entrepreneurs considering starting a bar in Indre Østfold, it is important to be aware of the challenges that have marked the industry. This sector has been marked by drastic declines in sales and employees, as well as a bankruptcy in 2026. This shows that it can be a risky sector to start in, especially without a clearly defined strategy to avoid the same challenges that have affected existing companies.

Nevertheless, there may be opportunities in Spydeberg, where there is a functioning bar (Lack Bar As) with 6 employees. This shows that there may be an area with potential customer base that can be utilized. Entrepreneurs should also consider analyzing the bankruptcy cause of Askim Corner Bar Da to avoid similar problems in their own businesses.

Outlook for the Bar/Club Sector: A Broader Perspective

When comparing the bar industry with the broader bar/club sector in Indre Østfold, the data shows that this sector has 4 companies in total, which shows that it is somewhat larger than the bar sector alone. Sales in the bar/club sector had strong growth of +78.2% from 2016 to 2017, before collapsing with -88.9% from 2017 to 2018. Workforce development shows a more gradual change, with strong growth from 12 employees in 2016 to 30 in 2017, but with a decline to 3 employees in 2026.

One of the companies in the bar/club sector not in the bar industry is Kake_og_skje Hassan (Brugata 4A, 1831 Askim), which is registered in the pub industry. This shows that there may be opportunities for entrepreneurs in related sectors such as pubs, which may have better economic development than the bar sector alone.

Conclusion: A Challenging, but Possible Sector

The bar industry in Indre Østfold has been marked by drastic declines in sales and employees, as well as a bankruptcy in 2026. This shows that it can be a risky sector to start in, especially without a clearly defined strategy to avoid the same challenges that have affected existing companies. Nevertheless, there may be opportunities in Spydeberg, where there is a functioning bar with 6 employees. Entrepreneurs should also consider analyzing the bankruptcy cause of Askim Corner Bar Da to avoid similar problems in their own businesses.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a bar or related business in Indre Østfold, SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and analyze market opportunities in the municipality.