Dubai: Vendors at the Deira Fish Market have received notices to shift their businesses to the newly built Waterfront Market, but they say the rents at the new market are unaffordable.
Located near Hamriya Port, just 10 minutes drive from the existing market further down Al Khaleej Road, the sleek new market is expected to open in July.
Air-conditioned and equipped with all modern facilities, including basement parking, coffee shops, and a supermarket, the new market looks no less than a shiny new mall.
However, the vendors say despite all facilities, they are not keen to move as the higher rents will either eat into their profits or force them to hike prices.
Given time until July 9 to decide whether to shift to the new market or pack up, most vendors from different sections of the Deira Fish Market told Gulf News they haven’t yet made up their minds.
Amjad Aslam, a longtime trader at the Deira Fish Market, said that he currently pays Dh25,000 per year for the stall he operates and after paying another Dh10,000 per year as municipality’s charges and sponsorship cost, he could barely make Dh3,000 to Dh4,000 per month.
“We have been asked to move to the new market, we will be happy to go if the rents are reasonable but they are charging Dh60,000 as rent for a stall, plus other charges. How are we going to survive at this rate? We won’t be able to even cover the cost. We are not here to make losses. I have decided to move back to Pakistan if I they don’t bring down the rents,” said Alsam, who mostly deals in prawns and shrimps.
Another fish dealer, Mohammad Iqbal, said his sponsor is asking for a higher sponsorship fee to acquire a stall at the new market, which he says will translate into higher prices and fewer customers.
“I know the facilities are great and we are happy that we will not have to suffer in the heat anymore, but all this can’t come at a price we can’t afford. Even if we decide to move, our business will suffer as the cost will be higher and the prices will go up,” said Iqbal, who has been in fisheries business for the past 15 years.
Vendors in other sections also seem reluctant to move with rents for fruits, vegetables and meat stalls going even higher.
Amir Ashraf has been running his chilled meat business at the Deira Fish Market for the last 12 years and he says he has done well due to affordable rents.
“I went to check out the new market when I got the notice and I found out that the shops are smaller and there is no cold storage facility and, to add to that, the rents are five times higher. How is that reasonable?” wondered Ashraf.
Ashraf right now pays a total of Dh50,000 per year, including the municipality fees, but at the new market he will have to shell out Dh300,000.
“We are ready to pay Dh10,000 or Dh20,000 more, but to expect us to pay Dh300,000 per year is totally unreasonable. How do you think we will recover that amount? There is a lot of competition here and there will be a lot more in the new market with more shops and with the margins of three to four per cent, it is impossible to survive,” added Ashraf.
The mood in the fruits and vegetables section is not different either.
Siraj Ahmad has made a living selling dates at the Deira Fish Market for almost two decades, but now he feels he will have to look for an alternative.
“They are asking for Dh200,000 per year for a stall. Our sponsor is not willing to go there at this rent and if we can find another sponsor, we will shift. Otherwise, we will have to pack up and look for other avenues,” said Ahmad.
Fruit seller Mohammad Sajjad took over his small business from his father around a decade ago and he too feels like his business is slipping away from him.
“Right now, I pay Dh2,000 per month, plus the annual charges. My family is dependant on me for their survival in Bangladesh and I have been able to manage a decent living for them through this, but I don’t know whether I will able to make it work if I pay Dh5,000 per month as rent,” said Sajjad.
A comment from Dubai Municipality, which operates the Deira Fish Market, was not immediately available.
