Prague’s main train station continues to steal headlines. A legal battle is underway between the Czech national railway operator SŽDC and the Italian investor Grandi Stazioni over the lease of commercial space in the train station. SŽDC terminated the contract yesterday with the Italian company, pointing to the fact that during the 13 years since its signing, the Grandi Stazioni did not complete the reconstruction of the main train station and the historic Fanta cafe, as was stipulated in the lease deal. Grandi Stazioni stands to lose rental revenue from the commercial space in the station that it was entitled to operate for another 30 years under the contract. Grandi Stazioni has refused to hand the station over to SŽDC and is demanding CZK 1.2bn in compensation for the cost of the reconstruction and for lost profits. SŽDC, however, said it is only willing to reimburse real costs of the reconstruction.
