Malls get poor response on Day 1 in Hyderabad

Fear hung around in the air as several malls, hotels and restaurants resumed their operations from Monday after more than 70 days.

The Prasad’s Multiplex, which has stores offering entertainment, food courts, shopping and game zones, is likely to open only after theatres begin functioning.

“A majority of the crowd that comes to Prasad’s come for watching movies. Since the screening of movies is yet to be allowed, we are yet to decide on opening the establishment,” said a staff member.

The situation is no different in GVK One Mall, which has 70 branded stores and a six-screen INOX multiplex. While some of the malls have kept opened for shopping, the staff in GVK One Mall was seen busy cleaning the mall premises, which also could open in a few days, though a date is



yet to be fixed.

On the other hand, the few shopping malls that opened for shoppers wore a deserted look on Monday with not many showing enthusiasm in outings to a mall in the present circumstances.

The PVR Hyderabad Central was one such place, with traders seen waiting for customers. The mall, one of the busiest ones in the city before the lockdown, used to see a footfall of over 5,000 every day with more than 100 branded stores in two blocks.

The management said they were anticipating the footfalls to pick up in the coming days. “We are ensuring thermal screening, physical distancing and provision of hand sanitisers as part of safety measures. Customers can come here and shop in a safe atmosphere,” they said.