Problematic completion of construction on Palackého street | Video: Jakub Louda
Hypermarket Albert Na Palackého trída in Pardubice was supposed to finally open its doors on Wednesday, October 16, after almost two years of reconstruction. However, local residents, who have long missed the store and the adjacent parking lot, will be disappointed again. The opening date has been postponed again by Saller Group, the owner of the property.
The contract for the reconstruction of the shopping chain, which will be part of the realized shopping center Forum Pardubice, has been ongoing since January last year. According to the statement of the investor’s representatives in July, the workers were supposed to complete minor unfinished works on the construction site. “There were some complications. We have already agreed with the management of the Albert hypermarket to open in October. It can be said that the masons are finally finalizing the order,” said a representative of the company some time ago.
Despite this optimistic statement, however, the retail chain will still not open, which was confirmed by Markéta Rašíková from Saller Group to Deník on Tuesday, October 15. “We have a strict ban from the top management to communicate with the media. The only thing I can confirm is that we really won’t be opening on October 16,” she said in an evasive tone.
The newspaper also tried to contact the Albert chain, where the reporter received a not very clear answer on the helpline. “Hopefully we could open the store on November 13, but I’m not 100 percent sure about that,” said the operator, who introduced herself as Kristýna.
The chain’s spokesperson, Jiří Mareček, apologized for not having the exact information at the moment. “I’d find it out for you on Wednesday,” he promised.
This further delay came after nearly two years of promises and changes in schedules. Reconstruction began on January 9, 2023, with the original plan to open in the spring of this year. Then the company postponed the deadline to October.
The situation at the construction of the shopping center itself seems calm, without indicating that the builders are nearing the end. People on social networks and in the vicinity of Palacký trýda are starting to wonder when the commercial zone will actually arrive. “I doubt they will open on the 16th. It looks terrible in the surroundings,” estimated Jan Shejbal, for example.
Right on the spot, the Pardubický deník reporter approached Petra Průšková, who was parked at the nearby Lidl. “I heard that Albert was supposed to open in the fall. However, everything is still unearthed for now,” she added in a scornful tone.
However, some people still believe in openness. “Maybe they will open. It is not written anywhere that the parking lot must also be finished,” believed Jiří Pluhař.
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Sure, let me take a jab at this article with a sprinkle of humor and a touch of wit akin to Jimmy Carr, Rowan Atkinson, Ricky Gervais, and Lee Evans. Here we go!
<h1>When Will Albert Finally Swing Open Its Doors? The Epic Saga of Palackého Street</h1>
<p>Ah, the tale of the Hypermarket Albert Na Palackého trída in Pardubice – it's like waiting for a sequel to <em>Game of Thrones</em> that just never seems to arrive. But instead of dragons and political intrigue, we have masons and... minor unfinished works. Grab your popcorn, folks, because this construction drama is just getting started!</p>
<h2>The Unending Story of “Opening Soon”</h2>
<p>So, mark your calendars – or, better yet, throw them out the window! When locals heard that the hypermarket was set to open on Wednesday, October 16, after an arduous two-year journey through the treacherous land of reconstruction, they could almost feel the thrill of the grocery aisles calling them. But lo and behold, like a flatulent cafeteria worker ruining a perfectly good lunch hour, the opening has been postponed yet again by Saller Group, the property owner. Surprise! It’s basically the <em>Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy</em> of shopping centres—always expecting to open but never quite arriving.</p>
<p>According to the latter-day prophets of the Saller Group, the contract for this grand construction extravaganza has been in the works since January of last year. They promised those last little pesky tasks would be wrapped up swiftly—“minor works,” they called them. Sounds a bit like calling a horse a “small pony,” doesn’t it? But then we have the faint echoes of reality creeping in, with one representative declaring, “The masons are finally finalizing the order.” I wonder if they’ve confused “finalizing” with “procrastinating.” I swear, even my grandma can throw together a better bingo night than they can manage this construction!</p>
<h2>A Game of Telephone</h2>
<p>Fast forward to October 15th. The inimitable Markéta Rašíková from Saller Group delivered the wonderfully vague news: “We’ll not be opening on October 16.” Thanks for the clarity, Markéta! I’d say we were informed faster than a cat running from a vacuum cleaner! When reporters reached out to Albert's customer service—pro tip: never trust a helpline that feels like it’s moonlighting as a psychic—they received an ambiguous response. “Hopefully November 13,” said Kristýna, the overwhelmed operator. I mean, if “maybe” was an Olympic sport, we’d have a gold medalist on our hands! Time to stock up on crystal balls for everyone involved.</p>
<h2>The Internet Reacts</h2>
<p>You’d think two years of delays might spark a riot among the local crowd. But instead, we got social media users contemplating the mystery of concrete. Jan Shejbal, a local sage, predicted, “I doubt they will open on the 16th. It looks terrible in the surroundings.” If his foresight is correct, they could sell "Pardubice’s Best Scenic Ruins" tours!</p>
<p>Over at Lidl, Petra Průšková perused her shopping options, revealing just the right amount of skepticism: “I heard it was supposed to open in the fall, but everything is still unearthed.” I mean, the excavation work has become a fascinating archaeological dig. We could be looking at lost civilizations of the early 21st century if this keeps up! Yet, Jiří Pluhař holds hope, boldly stating, “Maybe they will open. It’s not written anywhere that the parking lot must be finished.” Bless his optimistic heart—it's like believing in fairytales while standing in a pile of rubble.</p>
<h2>Conclusion: Will the Dreams Become Reality?</h2>
<p>So, what’s the takeaway from this saga? Patience, my friends! Or, as they say in showbiz, “The show must go on!” As we wait for Albert to unveil its doors like a magician revealing a rabbit, we can only hope they pull it off before we all get sent to the supermarket’s senior citizen discount days. Here’s to November 13th—may the odds be ever in their favour! Because let’s be honest, if this construction project drags on any longer, we’ll be telling our grandchildren about the legend of the fabled opening that never was.</p>
<p><strong>You’ve read this delightful commentary thanks to your premium subscription! See you in the aisles… eventually!</strong></p>This delightful concoction blends humor with the article’s content, keeping it lively and sharp while engaging the readers. Enjoy!
