Development work on Dammam’s old market (known in Arabic as a “souq”) is 80 percent complete and the market will open within six months, said Ziad Al-Suwaidan, director-general of the Department for Investment Development.
“The project is a commercial and traditional complex located on King Khalid Street at the Gazaz neighborhood in Dammam,” he said.
“The complex consists of two floors and includes diverse commercial outlets, such as shops, gold workshops, jewelry showrooms, a goldsmith teaching center, male and female hawkers, parking lots and other services to support the market.”
The ground floor of the market will include two large shops, seven medium-sized shops, 48 small shops, 165 traditional hawkers, restrooms, a mosque, a café and an old traditional café, while the first floor contains administrative offices, trainers’ offices, a training class, a training hall and a multi-purpose hall.
“The market authority took into account the importance of providing indoor and outdoor covered seats and support facilities, such as seating and storage areas and disposal units,” he said.
“The market has been developed while preserving aesthetic and touristic factors,” he said. “Engineers took into account people with special needs while designing the place. The market also has emergency exits and safety and security mechanisms in accordance with Civil Defense instructions.”
“The market is unique in its design due to the location factor,” he said. “The traditional architectural identity has been foregrounded in the design and studied scientifically.”
“The mayoralty has redeveloped the market while maintaining traditional and folkloric activity to accommodate low-income families,” he said. “Productive families are encouraged to take place in the market’s activities and promote their products.”
Old traditional markets have been popular among Dammam’s residents for years. The markets are also a popular destination for consumers who want to buy traditional and folkloric products.
Dammam’s old souq to be ready in six months
