Dubai: A new fish and vegetable market in Dubai is expected to open in August 2015, a senior official said.

The Dh269 million market coming up in Deira is almost half-ready, with 48 per cent of construction completed, Hussain Lootah, director-general of Dubai Municipality, said during a recent visit to the site.

“[It] will cope with the entire requirements of the community as a fish and vegetable market, as the civic body will provide best services ensuring the trade of fresh fish and healthy vegetables,” he added

The project, taking shape opposite Dubai Hospital in Al Hamriya, will also come to be regarded as a tourist spot, Lootah said.

The current fish market, located near Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Corniche, already draws scores of shoppers and tourists. However, the new market will be bigger and better, expected to replace the old one that has been a Dubai attraction since 1988.

Officials earlier had announced plans to include coffee shops, a hypermarket, 770 underground parking spaces and 700 outdoor parking spaces.

There will also be a 600-metre walkway and a pontoon for 65 boats bringing in their daily catch.

Tourists will be able to catch the sights and sounds of daily fish auctions and relax in an air-conditioned environment.

At the centre will be a two-storey main building housing the fish market on the ground floor and will also include dry food, meat, fruits and vegetables. Organic produce will be facilitated at the new destination.

By the first quarter of 2014, the municipality had registered 500 stalls to sell fish, 150 for fruit and vegetables, 72 for meat and 65 for dried fish.

In the main building, some 50 bazaars will also be allocated to sell miscellaneous items. Department stores and a hypermarket will take up the first floor, while the second floor will consist of a multi-purpose hall, offices and a number of coffee shops overlooking the Creek.

During the visit, Lootah was accompanied by assistant directors-general and senior officials of Dubai Municipality and representatives of contracting companies involved in the project.