Ongoing infrastructure development works in the immediate vicinity of Barwa Village have adversely affected businesses in the mixed-development neighbourhood.
Sources said that the ongoing second phase of the Village's expansion also pose challenges for retailers operating there, especially those with outlets in the row facing the Doha-Wakrah road.
Airing their grievances, some retailers told Gulf Times that the expansion was being carried out at a time when people had begun visiting the place in large numbers – years after it was commissioned.
The retailers also said they were concerned that some of the operators might face difficulties for a relatively long period.
"With access to the Village hindered, vehicles need to take a longer route to reach the place. Who will take the pain to come to this place in such circumstances?" a restaurateur pointed out.
Large-scale infrastructure development works – including rail and road – are also being implemented around Barwa Village and Al Wakrah, and a diversion put in place last month for one of these projects triggered traffic chaos in the area.
A large number of commuters complained of severe traffic congestion in and around Al Wakrah, particularly at the entry and exit point, leading to long delays.
According to some reports, the “sudden” closure of the Barwa Village signal aggravated matters in an area where people have had to cope with diversions and closures necessitated by infrastructure development projects.
A long-time Qatar resident said that the Village's operators should find a way out to help the "affected shopkeepers".
"Along with bringing new customers to the place, suitable conditions should be provided to protect the interest of existing clients," he said.
Businessmen at Barwa Village want their managers to explore the possibility of opening "at least a single-lane passage at the earliest" for those arriving from Wakrah to access the business location.
A retailer said rents were "by and large affordable" and this was one of the reasons why entrepreneurs were showing interest in setting up establishments in Barwa Village.
While some retailers feel business can get a boost if groups of workers are brought to the Village by bus – and there are sufficient provisions for their parking, others think the absence of any "affordable entertainment facility, such as a cinema" will discourage this demographic from visiting the complex in large numbers.
"The complex owners can also launch a shopping festival, involving a number of establishments and offering attractive promotions and prizes for visitors," said a shopkeeper.
Airing their grievances, some retailers told Gulf Times that the expansion was being carried out at a time when people had begun visiting the place in large numbers – years after it was commissioned.
The retailers also said they were concerned that some of the operators might face difficulties for a relatively long period.
"With access to the Village hindered, vehicles need to take a longer route to reach the place. Who will take the pain to come to this place in such circumstances?" a restaurateur pointed out.
Large-scale infrastructure development works – including rail and road – are also being implemented around Barwa Village and Al Wakrah, and a diversion put in place last month for one of these projects triggered traffic chaos in the area.
A large number of commuters complained of severe traffic congestion in and around Al Wakrah, particularly at the entry and exit point, leading to long delays.
According to some reports, the “sudden” closure of the Barwa Village signal aggravated matters in an area where people have had to cope with diversions and closures necessitated by infrastructure development projects.
A long-time Qatar resident said that the Village's operators should find a way out to help the "affected shopkeepers".
"Along with bringing new customers to the place, suitable conditions should be provided to protect the interest of existing clients," he said.
Businessmen at Barwa Village want their managers to explore the possibility of opening "at least a single-lane passage at the earliest" for those arriving from Wakrah to access the business location.
A retailer said rents were "by and large affordable" and this was one of the reasons why entrepreneurs were showing interest in setting up establishments in Barwa Village.
While some retailers feel business can get a boost if groups of workers are brought to the Village by bus – and there are sufficient provisions for their parking, others think the absence of any "affordable entertainment facility, such as a cinema" will discourage this demographic from visiting the complex in large numbers.
"The complex owners can also launch a shopping festival, involving a number of establishments and offering attractive promotions and prizes for visitors," said a shopkeeper.
