By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: Souq Faleh, one of the oldest markets in the city located opposite Souq Waqif, may not remain for long.
Several shopkeepers at the souq said yesterday that they have been asked by a new owner to vacate the buildings in a year. However, the shops have not received an eviction notice from the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning until now, it has been learnt.
Doha’s traditional souq area has lost its glitter since the arrival of dozens of glitzy hypermarkets across the country and due to massive demolitions. Souq Ahmed Bin Ali, which is next door to Souq Faleh, is being razed.
Located next to Abdullah bin Zaid Al Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Center, formerly known as Fanar, Souq Faleh is more than 30 years old and has at least 60 shops. They mostly sell abayas, readymade garments and toys. The complex also houses some jewellery outlets. Despite a continuing lull in business, the place is frequented by a number of loyal customers, especially
Qatari women.
Many shopkeepers said that they are looking for alternative commercial space, which is hard to find at affordable rents. Many traders in the neighbouring Souq Al Asiery and Souq Al Deira are also planning to relocate either because they have lost business or for fear that they would also be asked to vacate soon.
An expatriate, who is running a shop at Souq Faleh since 1985, said, “We are paying QR8,000 per month, but we won’t find another place for this rent. We have found a shop near Industrial Area for about QR12,000, but we are not sure if business will thrive there.” Another shop keeper selling abayas said, “It’s not easy to find a new place. The customers are used to this location, but now we don’t have much business.”
Shop keepers at other souqs also said that their business was hit after Souq Najada and Souq Ahmed Al Ali were demolished.
A shop keeper at Souq Al Asiery, selling mainly bags and fabrics, said, “There is no proper parking in this area now. Many customers don’t come this way due to traffic congestion and because part of the souq has already been demolished.”
“Earlier many workers used to come here during the weekends, but not now. We are looking for an alternative shop, because at any time we too can be asked to vacate. So it’s better to move early,” said another shop keeper selling fabrics at the souq for nearly ten years.
At Souq Al Deira too shop keepers shared similar feelings. “If you compare business to five years ago, it has reduced. We have the feeling that we would get a notice soon, but it’s not so easy to find another place in the city at an affordable rent,” said a tailor At Souq Al Deira.
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Demolition of Souq Ahmed Bin Ali has begun and by yesterday a large part of the building was razed.
Souq Najada, located close to these souqs was demolished in the first half of 2012 and now a hotel and book shop is being built there by a private contractor. However, a section of the souq still remains and will host some retail shops. This project is expected to be completed by April next year.
The Peninsula
