Prague wants to gradually refine the entire market so that it has a clear, comprehensive concept. “There should be primary segments that are represented there to some extent today,” said LN Deputy Mayor Pavel Vyhnánek (Prague himself), who is in charge of the Holešovice market in addition to finances.

The city wants to have a study done on the site, which should give order for future arrangements. And the main segments that Vyhnánek talks about include retail, but not in the form of dilapidated stalls, as is the case today. The second is restaurants. Culture should also be represented in the complex. Slaughterhouse 78, for example, already operates here today, where, among other things, the home stage of the La Putyka Circus is located. There could also be a gallery and space for other leisure activities in the market. Vyhnánek says that the city is looking for a healthy mix.

Farmers will stay

Farmers’ markets, which take place regularly in Hall 22, will certainly remain, for example. He adds, however, that Hall 22 will also need reconstruction.

Until the study is completed, which should determine when and in what order the market will be gradually reconstructed, Prague does not want to be idle and leave the place completely homeless. “Before the project is finished and the builders start there, we would like to temporarily occupy the space with various pop up activities and events, they are not demanding on the premises. It can be an exhibition or a temporary shop, “says the deputy.

This could lead to a similar concept as at Prague’s Florence near Masaryk Railway Station, where the Manifesto Market is being held, which is also a pop-up project.

We will not give the whole market

Prague no longer wants to go on a long-term lease, as it has been so far. “I rule out that the market would be leased as a whole in the long run. Prague already has this experience and it did not turn out well. Not only here, but also at the Exhibition Center. So far, Prague has always broken its teeth on such a model, “he tells us.

The Prague market was leased to Delta Center for fifty years in the 1990s, and the city is now suing it. In mid-March, the court ruled that the company should pay the city rent 264 million crowns for the years 2010 to 2012. And within thirty days to vacate the market. The company appealed against that.

However, the clearing of the stands has already begun. According to Vyhnánek, only a fifth of stallholders pay the rent properly, none of them have a building permit, there is no opinion of conservationists, moreover, there are no police raids due to counterfeit goods.

The stands according to the square prevent those reconstructions that are already planned. The stock exchange is being repaired in Hall 4, which is in the most advanced stadium. Vyhnánek says that with a little luck, a competition for a construction company could take place next year. Studies are already being carried out on the building in which the aforementioned Slaughterhouse 78 is located.

It is not yet clear what form the complex will continue to manage. The variant is that it would be under the contributory organization of the capital. “We definitely want Prague to have full control over it, because it will invest huge money there,” says the deputy. However, it is possible that one of the halls or part of it should have its own investor.

The amount that will be needed should come out of the study. However, it cannot be expected that the reconstruction of all halls and public space would take place at once.

However, the city is already clear that it does not want stalls in the Prague Market Square in the form in which they have been there so far. But there could be stalls only on weekends. “There is room for that, there is a central square in the area and there are beautiful promenade, which you will not even notice today,” adds Vyhnánek.