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Asif Iqbal
Doha
Automobile garages and auto-part dealers in Barwa Village heaved a sigh of relief as Waseef, the facility management company of the property, has agreed extend their shops' lease for another year.
In February this year, Waseef had sent a circular to garages, auto-part sellers and car rental operator that their contracts won't be renewed. However, the company agreed to renew their contracts after protracted negotiations.
Garage owners and auto-part dealers have welcomed the decision.
Karunakar Menon, a divisional manager at Al Hitmi Tyre Trading, said,"The decision has given us some respite."
Menon said the circular was issued after residents of the complex complained that these garages, auto-part sellers and car rental operators have been a source of nuisance."These accusations could be fair to some extent, but how can one justify a tyre shop or an auto-parts shop as a source of creating nuisance?" he asked, adding that Waseef should have been selective in penalising shops that are creating nuisance in the facility.
Mohammed Sadiq, a manager of an auto-repair shop in the area, has appreciated the decision of Waseef."We were worried about relocating our business ever since we received the circular. The decision to extend our lease contract will give us some time to think if we should continue in Barwa Village," Sadiq said.
When he opened the garage several years ago, Sadiq 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, Waseef wanted to kick us out," he rued.
Sadiq added that during the initial years businesses were encouraged to set up shops there."One of the reasons why Barwa Village has been successful is the goodwill and hard work put in by the auto service centres here. The garages and auto-parts shops get customers from as far as Wakrah," Sadiq said, adding that because of the garages, other shops are also doing brisk business.
The decision by Waseef, however, has not gone down well with some residents. Naem Ahmad, a resident, said,"We were happy when Waseef had sent out the circular regarding non-renewal of contracts as we had lodged a complaint with Waseef about the menace. Unfortunately, we will have to wait further until we can stay in peace here," he lamented.
