The Bab Al Bahrain post office, a historical landmark in the Manama suq in Bahrain, is to be given a revamp in a bid to attract more tourists and locals to the area.

The post office is being transformed into a museum commemorating the history of the country's postal service.

The project is part of the Culture Ministry's revitalisation of Bab Al Bahrain and the suq area.

'The renovation will focus on the historical aspects including the actual post office, which is housed in one of the few original Bahraini buildings surrounding Bab Al Bahrain,' said a ministry spokeswoman.

'The museum will showcase old Bahraini stamps and interactive exhibitions.'

A large part of the suq police station will also be allocated for a permanent photography exhibition showcasing the history of Bahrain's police force.

'This project is being designed by Bahraini firm Akbari Architects and construction is due to start next month,' said the spokeswoman.

'The ministry hopes that the project will be completed in four to five months time.'

Plans to restore the Bab Al Bahrain archway to its former state during the 1940s are also in the pipeline.

Ministry officials hope to transform it into an information centre for tourists to provide details about attractions across the GCC.

Another initiative to boost business in the area and increase the number of visitors is the launch of musical and other entertainment programmes, said assistant under-secretary for tourism Nada Ahmed Yaseen.

The traditional Bahraini band Mohammed bin Faris will now perform in the suq every Thursday from 6pm to 8pm and the Bahraini Jazz band 13th Note on Fridays from 6pm to 8pm.

'With this programme we intend to encourage visitors to come to Manama suq more often and enjoy the spirit of the area,' said Yaseen.

'We also want to persuade locals to return to the suq and relive their childhood memories.'

Further plans to renovate the suq include the enhancement and development of old traditional coffee shops.

'Once this project is complete, people can go to these coffee shops and share seats and conversations with others around them,' said Yaseen.

'There will be no differences or separation between people as they sit talking and enjoying the coffee and their surroundings. This is the real Bahrain and we would love to see people enjoying the traditional music, tea and coffee,' she added.-TradeArabia News Service