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Tough action will be taken against sheesha cafés that set up outdoor seating areas without proper municipal licensing.
Many cafes, particularly traditional ones, set up chairs and tables on pavements and even on the road, encroaching public property and disrupting traffic.
Inspections
Bahrain’s three municipal councils – Northern, Southern and Muharraq – have requested authorities to conduct surprise inspections to remove all outdoor seating areas and slap violators with warnings and fines.
They also sent requests to the Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Health, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning and Interior ministries to step up their monitoring roles.
“There are public complaints about people obstructing traffic and causing noise and disturbance,” said Northern Municipal Council vice-chairman Yaseen Zainal.
“Just because this is normal practice doesn’t mean what they are doing is right.
“We can’t stop sheesha being served, despite its negative impact on health and since it is a personal choice and freedom that we have to respect, but cafés need to show respect to those around them, whether residents or businesses.
“Tough action will teach cafés to abide by rules – just because Ramadan has a nightlife doesn’t mean there should be 500 outdoor chairs.”
“Next month is the Copa America, European Nations League Finals and Euro qualifiers, and then back again to leagues in August, so we don’t want violations to continue.
“We will take a serious approach.”
Southern Municipal Council chairman Bader Al Tamimi said leniency towards such violations has encouraged larger gatherings and more establishments breaking rules and regulations.
“Action against violating cafés has to be taken whether it is Ramadan or any other time as people are fed up with what is happening around them,” he said.
“Public roads and spaces are not part of a business’ seating area.
“Cafe owners were requested to remove the tables and chairs, but they told us they would not do so unless there was a court order.
Profits
“And when concerned officials slapped them with fines they paid up because it is nothing compared with the profits they make, especially in Ramadan.”
However, parliament’s services committee chairman Ammar Qambar told the GDN that the inspections should be conducted based on assessment of the areas and business needs.
“Honestly, the government shouldn’t go on a spree, taking action against violating sheesha cafés just because they have outdoor seating or have set up tables and chairs,” he said.
“It should depend on the place and careful assessment of the situation and whether the violations are causing disruption to people’s lives, blocking the roads, causing noise and involving mobs.
“Authorities can’t remove 300 people sitting to play cards or other games, especially now in Ramadan when people tend to stay up, even if it is a violation.
“I am not against taking action and I do believe that matters have gotten out of control.
“I am also in favour of exercising the law, considering things need to be done in an organised manner, even if it is popular or considered normal practice.”
The request from the councils has been forwarded to the authorities concerned.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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