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SEEF MALL officials described the launch of the mall’s ‘new look, same heart’ logo as the icing on the cake after two years of large-scale upgrades and improvements … but the cherry on top is set to be the opening of four ‘exciting new casual dining outlets’ including one labelled as ‘spectacular’.
Controversy is likely to rage over plans to place part of the development on a popular car parking space between Chili’s restaurant and the Panasonic and Toys R Us stores as shoppers are encouraged to use near-by multi-storey facilities.
Insiders close to the project suggest a state-of-the-art sports diner is being planned with the goal of opening in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals if possible.
Open 24-hours the venue would be a magnet for football-loving fans keen to watch the great sporting spectacular taking place in Brazil between June 12 to July 13 next year, with matches being played in the early hours of the morning here because of the time difference. A 7.30pm kick-off in Rio de Janeiro, for example, would take place at 1.30am in Manama.
“We are pleased to announce that we are in process of developing four exciting new casual dining outlets at Seef Mall,” revealed Saqer Shaheen, vice-chairman of the Seef Properties’ board of directors, at the celebration of the new logo launch.
General manager Robert Addison told GulfWeekly: “Three of the restaurants will be located near Gate 6 by the jewellery section. These will be mid-range casual dining offers to supplement the food we currently have in the mall. Customer research has identified a need for additional outlets and, at the same time, we wanted to stimulate footfall in this area.
“The additional restaurant will be located between Panasonic and Chili’s – but I can’t reveal details of this yet, except to say, it will be spectacular.”
In a country not blessed with the greatest driving etiquette, where shoppers are known to take up two spaces instead of one, or abandon vehicles on footpaths and doorways to get as close to a store entrance as possible, developing over well-used car parking spaces will be seen by some observers as brave.
Mr Addison admits it will be challenging. “We know this car park is popular but we really want our customers to utilise the two multi-storey car parks we have at either end of the mall. People queuing to get into this car park cause congestion on the road. Customers to the restaurant will have a valet-parking option or free parking in the multi-storey car park.”
The investment, however, offers further evidence that confidence is returning to the retail sector after the recent unrest and big-spending visitors from Saudi Arabia are continuing to be attracted to the ever-improving shopping and dining facilities and other entertainment attractions offered in Bahrain.
Mr Addison said: “The retail market has proven pretty resilient over the past two years but there’s definitely a renewed level of confidence for the right development in the right place. Retail is a good barometer of business and consumer confidence so we’re feeling pretty good about the future.”
Seef Mall, owned and operated by Seef Properties, was launched in 1999 and is the company’s flagship mall along with Isa Town Mall.
Despite facing stern competition from neighbouring Bahrain City Centre, Seef Mall attracts more than 200,000 visitors a week – local, expatriate and tourists primarily from the GCC.
The mall’s outlets include such brand name anchor stores as M&S, BHS, Zara, Mango, H&M and Sun & Sand Sport. In addition, it boasts the six-screen Seef Cineplex and the 10-screen Seef Megaplex.
Seef Properties also owns its own entertainment centre, Magic Island and Fraser Suites serviced apartments attached to the mall.
If further evidence of retail joy was required, Seef Mall is also planning a major overhaul of Magic Island next year, will be extending Isa Town Mall with a 1,000sq/m Max unit and is also currently developing a 70,000sq/m mall in Muharraq with its joint-venture partners.
“Seef Mall Muharraq is going very well,” added Mr Addison. “We expect to open in Q2 2014 and we are currently 80 per cent leased. We have around 130 stores which will include a Geant Hypermarket, a 12-screen cinema and its own Magic Island.”
