Nearly two months after Safeer Mall in Sharjah closed its doors and came under new management, renovation crews are hard at work, yet nine shop owners who refused to relocate say they can’t keep their businesses afloat amid dust and heat.
Initially, these tenants triumphed in court when Western International Group sued them to vacate the property. On May 1, a Sharjah court ruled they could continue operating under five-year contracts signed directly with the municipality, and it barred any eviction or rent increases. However, that legal victory has since been overshadowed by fresh challenges.
Meanwhile, the mall—once a landmark for motorists traveling between Dubai and Sharjah along Al Ittihad Road—now looks deserted. Its lights remain off, basement parking closed, and no customers wander its corridors. Construction teams replace ceilings and tiles as shattered glass and metal shutters lie near shuttered storefronts. With ladders and standing fans scattered throughout, the interior’s lack of ventilation turns the stifling heat inside nearly as intense as the midday sun outside. In fact, even a brief walk through the mall leaves visitors drenched in sweat.
Compounding their woes, shop owners report that the building’s air conditioning failed about two months ago—first in common areas and then, over the past fortnight, within each shop. Several employees have already complained of heat-related health issues. Consequently, four tenants filed a joint complaint with both the Sharjah Health Department and Sharjah Municipality on May 28. An inspector has since visited to assess conditions, and the tenants have lodged a separate municipal case over the nonfunctional AC system. They expect a judgment within a couple of weeks.
Furthermore, a municipality permit posted outside the mall confirms approval for interior ceramic tile replacement and external wall painting. It also specifies that contractors must follow all safety, civil defense, and public-safety regulations, and that any utility cutoffs—such as electricity or water—require prior coordination with the relevant departments. Crucially, the permit states that the renovation does not involve evacuating the building.
Looking ahead, tenants hope their latest municipal case will ease the sweltering conditions and draw more customers back to their once-thriving shops. With Ramadan and Eid Al Adha approaching, they are determined to weather the renovations and revive business before Sharjah’s next holiday season.
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