But the closing of the mines meant that 40,000 miners retired and unemployment in the region was high at 3000 .
Purchasing power was higher than in the rest of the Netherlands and relatively low prices meant that many shoppers came here from Germany .
The closing of the mines meant that 40,000 miners retired and unemployment in the region was high at 3000 .
Purchasing power was higher than in the rest of the Netherlands and relatively low prices meant that many shoppers came here from Germany .