The Fish, Vegetable and Fruit market in Deira near Al Shindagah tunnel will undergo renovation and expansion to cater to the rapidly growing customer demand.
"Some Dh3 million will be spent to renovate and redesign the market to meet the increasing needs of customers," said Abdul Rehman Al Jaziri, Director of the Marketing Department at Dubai Municipality.
Some new shops will also be built at the market and the facade of the market will be changed to resemble a traditional Arabic souq.
"While the fish, chicken and meat shops will remain unchanged, the fruit, vegetable and dates sections will be redesigned to accommodate more visitors," he added.
Vendors at this market have reported brisk business with an increasing number of customers after the closing down of the Hamriya Fruit and Vegetable market on July 3.
All the traders, both wholesalers and retailers, have shifted to the new Central Fruit and Vegetable Market in Al Aweer near Emirates Road.
"We have seen a sharp increase in the number of customers to the market over the last one week," observed Abdul Khaliq, a fruit vendor. He said vendors were doing better business as customers who used to visit the old Hamriya market were now coming to the Deira market because the new location is quite far away.
"Vendors here mostly deal in retail business," said Rahim, a salesman at a vegetable shop. He noted that although many people buy fruit and vegetables from supermarkets, yet a large number prefer coming to the Deira market because of the variety available here.
He welcomed the municipality's decision to renovate the market as it would help attract more customers. "More shops, shelters and some seating areas would also be a good addition to the market because a lot of tourists come here, too."
Arun Verma, a customer, said that fruit, vegetables and fish were available here at very competitive rates. However, he added: "You have to bargain to get a good deal. You can get the best fish, crabs and a variety of seafood in this market at very reasonable prices."
This market, he said, caters to a large community living in Deira area and is always crowded with people. "It is very important to improve facilities here," he said while appreciating the municipality's decision to renovate the market.
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