It’s not just “single workers” who are benefiting from new commercial developments in the immediate neighbourhood of the Industrial Area, but a large number of families too are patronising such places these days, it is understood.
The response from families has come as a “pleasant surprise” for many as these places were initially expected to cater largely to single men living in the Industrial Area.
Sources among the promoters of some of these projects, including newly started ventures in fast-developing locations such as West End Park, say the facilities in the sprawling compound are attracting a number of families from neighbouring areas.
In fact, the movie screens at West End Park are receiving more families than bachelors on weekdays, it is learnt.
An official of the company managing the halls said contrary to their initial expectations, the place has been attracting a number of families of late, including those from Al Wakrah, Wukair and surrounding areas.
The official hopes there will be more patronage for the halls when all four screens will be ready in a couple of months.
Similarly, commercial establishments inside the compound are visited by a number of families, many of whom come from the nearby Barwa City.
Equally encouraging, it is understood, is the patronage for new ventures such as Barwa’s Commercial Avenue along Industrial Area Road despite the large-scale infrastructure work taking place in the neighbourhood.
“More entrepreneurs are showing interest in moving to the area now than what it used to be some 2-3 years ago,” said a Doha businessman whose offices have been shifted to the new Barwa project.
Already, some of the country’s prominent business houses have moved to the area and it is expected that there will be a further rise in such movement in the coming months.
Traders believe that the arrival of Dragon Mart, a Chinese enterprise that sells everything from furniture to construction materials through its outlets at Barwa Commercial Avenue will provide a huge boost to businessmen who are looking to start new ventures in the area. Some of them feel that more commercial establishments will come up in Ain Khalid and surrounding areas in the
coming months.
