Traders at one of Bahrain's biggest markets will be temporarily moved out from next month while it undergoes a BD6 million ($15.8 million) makeover.

Work at the Muharraq Central Market was supposed to start last month after more than four years of delays, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It has now been rescheduled for the New Year and involves bulldozing existing facilities and rebuilding from scratch.

The market will feature a shopping complex, hypermarket and separate sections for meat, fish, fruits and vegetables and kiosks.

It will also include a special area for people who manufacture traditional crafts, government offices, banks, restaurants and cafes.

"We have delayed work by two months, but it will ensure more organisation when it is carried out and we expect to begin in January," said Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka'abi.

Traders will be allowed to set up stalls in the nearby Hassan Bin Thabet Public Park on a temporary basis.

"Fruits and vegetables, meat and fish sellers will be moved to the public park. Others will have to look elsewhere until they get space in the new market whenever work is complete," added the minister.

"Merchants will have to sign an agreement with us that they will leave the park whenever the market is ready.

"We don't want them occupying it forever with their merchandise, as well as operating from their new stalls."

The project is being handled by the Muharraq Central Market Company, a subsidiary of Tashgeel for Commercial Buildings Management, and will be completed in two years.

It includes a basement car park with 200 spaces and special loading areas. - TradeArabia News Service