The Ministry of Municipality and Environment has asked the decades old wholesale supermarkets operating in Abu Hamour Central Market to close their business by June 30.
The move follows the closure of fish market and fresh chicken outlets operating in the vicinity, which were shifted to Umm Salal Central Market on April 9. Tenants have been asked to move out to make way for development and renovation works in the area. The business owners have urged the authorities concerned to provide alternative shops in new central markets or give them more time to shift and thus help reduce their financial losses.
A circular dated April 16, 2017 issued by Doha Municipality to these supermarkets reads, “since the works for development and renovation of Abu Hamour Central Market is about to start, we would like to inform you that it was decided that the last working day for all wholesale supermarkets at Central Market will be June 30, 2017.”
“So you are required to visit the revenue department at Central Market for the settlement of your financial liabilities by June 30, 2017 and vacate all wholesale supermarkets in a bid to handover it on July 1, 2017,” said the circular. A group of shopkeepers submitted a request in writing to Doha Municipality seeking extension of the grace period given to vacate the facility.
According to the shopkeepers, two months grace period is not enough for vacating the shops and renting another shop. So they will have to coordinate with the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) for allotment of shops in the new market.
Many supermarkets are having commodities worth millions, so a quick shift will cause big financial loss if the given grace period is not extended.
Markets in Doha do not have enough space to accommodate the wholesale shops operating in Abu Hamour Central Market. The high demand for spaces could encourage property owners to increase the rents exorbitantly, say the traders. According to some shopkeepers MEC promised to provide shops on rent in the new Central Market. Tenants have also asked for an extension of grace period, in case authorities are unable to provide alternative shops. “About 88 wholesale-supermarkets operating at Abu Hamour Central Market were given notice last week to vacate the facilities,” a shopkeeper told The Peninsula.
“Shifting to a new place will have a negative impact on our business. If we are allotted shops in new central market, it could be of some help, but we will lose our loyal customers who have been visiting to buy large stocks of grocery," he added. page 5
