Shops that stay open until late in the night in West Riffa may soon be subject to new operating hours, following residents’ complaints.
A proposal by Southern Municipal Council vice-chairman and area councillor Abdulla Bubshait is aimed at restoring peace and quiet in residential neighbourhoods.
The council has unanimously approved the move to regulate shop hours on Road 411 in Block 904 and Roads 1205 and 1211 in Block 912 to open no earlier than 5am and close by midnight – unless they hold an official 24-hour operating licence.
Mr Bubshait highlighted a rising number of complaints from constituents about businesses remaining open well into the early hours.
“Residents have reached out to me repeatedly about noise and disturbances from shops that are not even licensed to operate 24 hours,” he said.
“Families living in these neighbourhoods deserve peace and security during the night. This proposal is about protecting their quality of life and ensuring that the law is respected.”
According to the veteran councillor, the above-mentioned roads are home to shops that have been operating informally outside of legally permitted hours, with some open until dawn.
This practice, he argued, was inconsistent with the residential nature of the neighbourhoods and was contributing to a disruption of public order.
“This is not a commercial strip where 24-hour activity is expected or needed. These are quiet residential zones, and the operating hours of shops should reflect that reality,” he added.
“This is a normal legal process and shows that there are checks and balances.
“We are confident that our proposal is legally sound and aligned with the best interest of West Riffa’s residents.”
Meanwhile, the council’s technical committee chairman Mubarak Faraj said the regulation was not aimed at harming business interests but rather at balancing them with residents’ rights to peace and quiet.
“The shops in question do not have 24-hour licences and are operating outside permissible hours,” he stated.
“This is not only a legal issue, but a matter of public well-being. Our recommendation is to allow operations from 5am to midnight. This is a generous window that accommodates commercial needs while safeguarding the community’s comfort.”
Mr Faraj stressed that any business that wishes to operate outside of those hours must go through the proper legal channels.
“If a shopkeeper believes they have a genuine need to operate around the clock, they can apply for a 24-hour licence. The relevant authorities will then assess that request based on clear criteria,” he said.
“We’re not against economic activity; we’re simply advocating for responsible, lawful practices that maintain the fabric of our communities.”
Many local residents have reportedly welcomed the proposed regulation.
“It’s about time someone addressed this,” said a resident of Block 912. “The late-night activity is not only noisy but sometimes also feels unsafe. We support the council’s move.”
The proposal will now be submitted to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review. If approved, the new regulations could come into effect later this year.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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