(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Grocery owners in the Capital have breathed a sigh of relief as yet another extension has been granted in regards to the renovation of their food establishments.
Grocers hailed the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority's (ADFCA) decision to extend the deadline and when completed, the newly named Baqala stores will add to the new image of the city.
Last week, the authority announced that all the groceries in the emirate have more than four months to renovate their stores according to new regulations for the health and safety of the Emirate.
Adorned with simple green and yellow signage, the new identity will portray a positive reflection of the newly improved stores.
Last month, Khaleej Times broke the news that hundreds of groceries were given orders to renovate their establishments or shut down for good. Initially, grocery owners had until December 31, 2012 to sign up for upgrading their shops. This was then extended to March 6, but because the authority is still receiving requests, the deadline has now been pushed to June 30.
In a recent announcement, Director of Communication and Community Service Mohammed Jalal Al Rayasa said: "They will have to complete the renovation of their grocery stores no later than June 30 this year, a period of four months from the last day for registration. Those groceries that do not comply with this time frame will have to close shop."
The decision to extend the grace period regarding the renovation of the grocery stores in the emirate was received with great joy by shop owners.
One Capital resident, Noorul Haque who is the business partner of Azizul Haque Foodstuff in Freej Al Sayegh in the heart of the city has welcomed the new deadline with open arms: "We were worried about the earlier deadline to reshape our stores, because it was too a short time to comply with the regulations. We needed time to set a budget and secure finances for the costs involved for the renovation work and expansion of our premises."
Haque further added their store size is big enough to meet the ADFCA requirements (of up to 32,000 square feet) but said the costs involving the decoration and removing commodities will affect their business.
"However, I welcome the decision of the authority for extending the deadline. We also welcome the new regulation of renovation that would help change the image of the city and help end the unhygienic conditions in the food supplying stores," he said.
Haque also said they have already paid Dh41,000 to a contracting company for the renovation of the shop, which will store foodstuff including vegetables and canned goods along with perfumery and other items: "Over all, the process will cost us about Dh200,000 that includes licensing fee," he added.
Ashraf of Amani Corner said the new decision will give them enough time to move to a bigger store and comply with the rules, while at the same time staying in business.
He said: "It is a good decision by the ADFCA. We were worried about losing our business because we had no time to find a new place and get the budget for the expansion. Now with the extension of the deadline we are confident we will be able to move to a spacious store that is required by the ADFCA regulation. We never thought of having bigger and innovative stores before this regulation. Most of us can afford this but never thought about it."
Ahmed, a partner at the same shop, said they are negotiating with their landlord to get the store next door to them which is vacant: "We have a vacant store adjacent to our grocery that we can (buy) and extend our store as per the new regulations. The landlord is asking for Dh40,000 for the...store...we plan to merge it with this store. The rent is too high and will affect our turnover. However, we are negotiating with the landlord, and hopefully will conclude a deal that is acceptable," he added.
Another grocery owner, identifying himself as Siraj, said though they are happy the deadline has been extended, they are still looking for a bigger store to comply with the new regulations.
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