<h1>Department Store Prior in Krnov Awaits Renovation for 42 Million Crown</h1>

Krnov - The reconstruction of the Prior department store building in Krnov in the Bruntál region, which was purchased by the local council in 2019, will begin in January. It will cost up to 42 million crowns and will last approximately half a year. During this time, the spaces, with the exception of the children's playroom, will be closed. CTK was informed of this today by the city's spokesperson Dita Círová. The reconstruction will include, for example, the installation of a branch of Czech Post (ČP) and the overall modernization of retail spaces.

"The cost of the reconstruction is estimated at 40 to 42 million crowns, of which 15 to 17 million crowns will be the cost of the ČP installation, which will partially return the modification costs to the city in the form of increased rent over a period of ten years," she said.

The post office will be located in the place of the former furniture store and in part of the current second-hand shop. The spaces will receive new floors, partitions, ceilings, display windows, and new windows will be added to ensure natural light. A new entrance to the department store with automatic doors will also be created from the Church of St. Martin.

"The work will also impact the remaining spaces. We expect new electrical installations, including lighting, new air conditioning systems, including in the playroom. Due to this work, the playroom will be closed for the necessary duration. Individual stores will be separated from the passage by glass partitions and rolling grilles. There will be new sanitary facilities for customers that are currently lacking in the department store. We will also repair the façades both at the southern entrance and at the new northern entrance from the church," stated Pavel Hanzel from the Department of Investments and Property Management.

The plan to close the department store has already been discussed with the tenants of the retail spaces. "The department store will be closed from January 1. In the following weeks, tenants will have the opportunity to clear out their stores. All information will be provided to them when signing the contract amendments, and we will also inform them about the option to use storage space in the basement of the department store during the renovation," said Marek Viktor, head of the rentals and sales department.

The Prior department store was built between 1980 and 1983, with 70 apartments in the upper part. The city purchased the building in 2019 for 37 million crowns. There are 21 rental units on the ground floor of the department store, with 16 currently occupied. The condition of the spaces reflects the age of the building, with frequent failures in the air conditioning, electrical, and heating systems. Repairs are costly, and operation is energy-intensive. The city subsidizes the operation.