A Dh2 billion project to almost double the retail space at Dubai’s oldest mall was unveiled yesterday.
Al Ghurair Centre in Deira opened in 1981, many years before the so-called destination malls that have helped to put Dubai on the map.
Before the extension opened, the mall featured a retail area totalling 480,000 square feet, with about 220 stores, 20 food and beverage outlets and an eight-screen cinema.
The expansion project has added a food court, family entertainment centre featuring an ice rink, indoor rollercoaster and other rides in addition to more than 130 new stores. These include Marks & Spencer, Mango, Iconic, Omega, Cortefiel and Calzedonia, bringing the total retail area to more than 850,000 sq ft.
“The reality is the mall is the oldest mall in Dubai and at one point in time it was the place, the pioneering shopping mall in the city, which is now full of shopping malls,” said David Thurling, the vice president of malls for Al Ghurair Properties.
“Al Ghurair Centre for quite some time lost some of its relevancy to the new kids on the block. So what we are doing is making it relevant again and making it relevant in a way which I think is unique. We are simply not trying to replicate the tried and trusted formula, which let’s be honest, every shopping mall has,” he added.
The mall intends to create a district around the shopping centre and space for street theatre, art and music, which will give a different feel to rival malls, said Mr Thurling. “In many ways, the centre will build on the inherent vibrancy of the surrounding streets to create a bustling experience similar to places like Greenwich Village in New York or Covent Garden in London,” said Mr Thurling.
Over time he hopes that Al Ghurair Centre will become a tourist attraction renowned for its street festivals, public art pieces and ongoing community-driven activities.
“We still at the end of the day offer a mix of retail brands that are common in a lot of the malls but because we can’t compete with 1,200 stores at Dubai Mall, we have to try and appeal through different ways.”
gduncan@thenational.ae
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
When is VAR used?
• Goals
• Penalty decisions
• Direct red-card incidents
• Mistaken identity
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
