The educational center under Janáček Theater will not be established; there will be a gastronomy operation there

Brno - The Educational Center of the National Theatre Brno (NdB) will not be established in the spaces under the Janáček Theatre. The city council approved the plan to offer the currently unused spaces for business at their last meeting. A gastronomic operation is expected to function there, the city hall informed today in a press release. The National Theatre does not have another suitable location for the new center, and despite the money spent on preparation, the project will be halted. Martin Glaser, the theatre director, said this to the Czech News Agency. He described the decision of the city council as a surprise. There was previously a restaurant in the location, and during the coronavirus pandemic, a vaccination center operated there.

For the use of the former Bohéma space, the city considered several options ranging from the restoration of a restaurant to the establishment of a conference and educational center with a café. "In the end, we leaned towards the idea that a restaurant, café, or similar establishment should operate there. Of course, it could complement its activities with cultural services. We believe that the new business will find its customers, especially considering that many Brno residents and visitors from outside Brno, as well as tourists, head to the theatre and the surrounding parks," stated Mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS).

The National Theatre was preparing a project for an educational center for up to 200 people based on the action plan discussed by the city council in 2020. Among other things, it would serve the Ballet School of I.V. Psota. "For all of us, the council's decision is a surprise. The council approved the intention for the educational center, so we secured an architectural study for several hundred thousand crowns, created a content concept, and processed other materials. We have also requested approval for the preparation of the investment plan," said Glaser.

The theatre does not have other suitable spaces for the activities of the center on the intended scale. "We are very sorry about this because the center would be crucial for building the audience. We counted on it being used by the ballet school, which is in great demand and is commercially relatively self-sufficient. Unfortunately, starting next season, we will have to limit these activities because if the management of the ballet company does not see a light at the end of the tunnel, there is no point in continuing in the current undignified conditions," added Glaser.

The city company CD CENTRUM COMS will announce a tender for the rental of the premises, which is responsible for matters related to sales and rentals. "These are spaces with a total area of 877 square meters, and we have set the minimum rent at 70,000 crowns per month. The location is currently not suitable for operation. Its construction completion and commissioning will be coordinated with the selected tenant," added Deputy for Housing and Property Management Karin Podivinská (ANO).