The trainers may have been replaced with T-shirts, but the vibe is just as cool. When three friends from Abu Dhabi launched Local in Al Zeina in 2018 – a one-stop shop to get a haircut and buy some kicks, with speciality coffee thrown in – they did so to address what they perceived as a gap in the market.
The barber and beverage services remain at Local Mamsha, the trio’s second location that opened recently on Saadiyat Island, but the store also incorporates a homeware and fashion element.
It’s a curated collection of homeware, lifestyle goods, clothing and beachwear from both well-known global and independent local brands
Jackson Brett,
co-founder, Local Al Zeina and Local Mamsha
“As we started getting older and maturing, our style evolved,” says Jackson Brett, who is one of the co-founders alongside brothers Jasim and Zayed Al Khouri. "Similar to when we opened the first Local, we found it hard to get certain products and brands here. We really just stock the stuff we like and want to have or use ourselves."
Drawn to the beachy vibe, luxury accommodation and proposed finished development of the Guggenheim in the same neighbourhood, the team viewed the Saadiyat location two years ago and were instantly sold. The launch was delayed owing to the pandemic, but the trio decided to open doors in July.
In keeping with the beach feel, the airy store retails tees, slides and shades interspersed with coffee pots, cups and strainers. Haircare products vie for space alongside candles with a pottery base and a sandstone cup collection specially made by Oka Ceramics for Local.
Other brands include The Provider Store, Kinto Japan, Grown Alchemist and Salt and Stone, and you can pick up the coffee culture magazine Drift while you get a haircut or enjoy the special caffeine blends on offer.
“It’s a curated collection of homeware, lifestyle goods, clothing and beachwear from both well-known global and independent local brands,” explains Brett.
The interior, too, is super slick, and was designed by Jade Daniel and Ghalia Korban of shell+core in Abu Dhabi, the same design duo behind the original Local, who were keen to take their cues from the environment at Mamsha.
Contrasting tactile elements make themselves known in the form of rough and smooth surfaces, warm wood and cold concrete, and cacti plants and palm trees. Outdoor lighting is set into white stones, the neutral palette is offset by wooden elements, and greenery abounds above and beside each seated area. Carefully considered plug points are built into channels within long poured-concrete tables, while a grooved hidden door leads to the washroom.
The barber area is the focal point of the space, and takes the form of a faux greenhouse, while the oversized mirrors bounce back light from the beach at the doorstep.
“We wanted to infuse the existing culture of Local with this new site’s context, one that features a seamless view of the beach," says designer Daniel. "The design was about the interplay of primitive building materials referencing the essence of the first Local, such as concrete, brick and stainless steel together with refined and reflective elements inspired by the landscape."
As to whether Abu Dhabi residents can expect a third Local location, when asked what’s coming next Brett is quick to reply: “A lot, stay tuned.”
Local Mamsha is open from 8am to 11pm at Lilac 6, Mamsha Al Saadiyat; localco.ae
Match info
Uefa Nations League Group B:
England v Spain, Saturday, 11.45pm (UAE)
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
More on Quran memorisation:
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
