Asif Iqbal
Doha
Having moved in when Barwa Village was still a fledgling residential project, several established auto shops in the mixed-used development are facing an uncertain future.
Accused as a"source of nuisance" by the residents, dozens of such shops ” garages, auto-part sellers and car rentals ” have been told by village management authority Waseef that their contracts won't be renewed.
While the residents welcome the move, the affected-shop owners say this was"unfair" and would force investments worth hundreds of thousands of riyals go waste. Mohammed Rafik, a manager of an auto-repair shop in the village, is furious at the decision."When we started our garage in Barwa Village more than five years ago, we hardly had any customers. We had to pay rents from our pockets for the first few years. Now that we have established an identity for ourselves, and the place, they (Waseef) are going to kick us out," he rued.
Rafik said during the initial years after the Barwa Village was opened, businesses were encouraged to set up shops there. Over the years, several auto shops have relocated to Barwa village at a cost and grew into thriving businesses, he added.
"One of the reasons why Barwa Village has been successful is because of the goodwill and hard work put in by the auto service centres here. Garages and auto-parts shops here get customers from as far as Wakrah," Rafik said, adding that because of the garages, other shops are also doing brisk business.
Located in Al Wakra district, Barwa Village is a master-planned development in 400,000 square metres with a built-up area of 186,000 square meters. It consists of 18 low-rise commercial and residential complexes that offer 918 retail units, 96 studio apartments, 262 one-bedroom apartments and 100 two-bedroom apartments.
Most of the auto repair shops are on the west side of the complex and the rents for these shops are about QR10,700 a month .
A general manager of a leading tyre shop, who did not want to be named, expressed disappointment at the decision, saying the notice should have been served to those shops that have been flouting the community norms.
"We have urged Waseef not to penalise everybody and they have assured to take up this issue with Barwa."
He said a few repair shops dealing in motor bikes and baggi (desert vehicles) are the ones that create nuisance. He said these bike shops are very noisy and disturb the residents.
"In my opinion, tyre shops, car rental firms and auto-part shops should be exempted from this notice as they do not cause any inconvenience to the residents," he added.
However, Mustafa, a resident of building number 18, expressed his happiness over the Waseef decision."We have been complaining to Waseef about the noise, occupied parking and customers rush that disturb the area. We commend the efforts of Waseef to address this issue," he said.