No more roadside cafes, car wash stations in this emirate

Cafes and car wash stations are no longer allowed to operate along public roads and in the residential areas of Umm Al Quwain. The advisory follows a decision from the Department of Economic Development (DED) to move all outlets and service centres to Al Maqtaa commercial area within a few months.

Mansur Sultan Al Kharji, director-general of the DED, said they are preparing the new site that can accommodate a large number of shops and centres. It will be ready in a few months.

"The department has contacted all the owners of the car wash stations and cafés and informed them of the new decision," Al Kharji said, adding that the tenancy contracts of these establishments will not be renewed unless they move to the new commercial



area.

"Most of these car wash stations and cafés are located on public roads and within residential areas, causing nuisance particularly because of  recurring water leakage that affects the city's surroundings," he said.

Some of these stations and cafés do not have a drainage system, Al Kharji said. "The new site will be fully equipped for this type of commercial activities, and it will also be more convenient for the customers of these outlets."

Al Kharji said the decision covers all the car wash stations and cafés at the entrance of Umm Al Quwain and along the King Faisal Road.

"The department has also identified some paid parking areas for the outlets' customers," he said.