Al Jaziya Street in New Wakrah is one of the important commercial hubs in the area.

By Ramesh Mathew
Staff Reporter

People living in the southern parts of the country, particularly the fast-developing areas of Wakrah and Wukair, want cinema operators to set up shop in their neighbourhood to meet the growing demand for quality entertainment options in these places.

Al Wakrah and its neighbouring areas have witnessed a large-scale influx of people in recent years. While this has led to enhanced commercial and retail activities, residents complain that this has not been matched by similar developments in terms of entertainment options, specifically cinema.

Cinemas are located in various parts of Doha, but none in the southern areas, say residents. “The southern localities do not have a single cinema despite the phenomenal rise in population there,” said a resident of Wakrah.

While residents are pleased that more retail outlets, supermarkets, hotels, schools, clinics and new residential compounds are coming up in Wakrah and surrounding areas, a number of them, including those who have moved to the place in the last three-four years, feel entrepreneurs should explore the possibility of opening “affordable” cinemas in and around the town.

“As connectivity to Wakrah and its neighbouring areas has improved considerably in recent years and more road development projects are in the offing, cinema operators should consider starting a couple of theatres in the town or somewhere in its vicinity,” said a resident who lives in a new compound near Al Jaziya Street, a fast-developing commercial locality in New Wakrah.

Besides a large number of people in Wakrah, thousands live in residential compounds in Wukair, it is learnt. The presence of Wakra Hospital, among other factors, has also helped attract people to the area.

“Though we have a number of retail outlets and other facilities in Wakrah and Barwa Village, there is no place in the immediate neighbourhood where we can watch a movie,” rued a resident of Barwa Village, which has more than 450 residential units.

West End Park in the Industrial Area houses a theatre complex but Wakrah residents feel they should have a multiplex near their homes.