BD5 million souq plan

TRADERS at the Isa Town traditional market will soon be relocated to a temporary site, to make way for the work on a BD5 million modern souq.

Councillors are looking for a large plot of land on which the traders may set up, while the new complex is being built.
Developer Emaar is turning the old market into a state-of-the-art souq under a project earmarked by the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry.
The plan was originally for a BD3.5 million development, but this has been expanded to include more facilities.
The market will be transformed after the development, said Central Municipal Council member Abdulrahman Mohammed Abdulla Al Hassan.
“We will try to find a replacement market for the merchants by finding a big space of land until the project is over,” he said.
Mr Al Hassan said that the replacement would guarantee that merchants could carry on without losing trade, while the work is done.
Emaar engineers proposed new drawings for the souq, following approval from the Central Municipal Council that it can accommodate more facilities.
The expansion includes a restaurant complex, a car park and more showrooms.
The market will accommodate 835 shops and 650 car parks, in addition to three new markets for fish, meat, vegetables and fruits.
Traders who are occupying shops and selling second-hand merchandise such as clothes, carpets, furniture, sweets, vegetables, fruits and hardware in the area are also being included in the project.
The new plans by Emaar are designed to accommodate future expansions.