A proposal to instal small kiosk huts along the seafront promenade near Arad Fort is gaining momentum after the Muharraq Municipal Council voted unanimously yesterday to study the project as a means of supporting productive families and revitalising one of the island’s most scenic public walkways.
The initiative was put forward by Arad area councillor Ahmed Al Meghawi, who believes the location holds untapped potential to benefit families who rely on home-based businesses.
“These huts are not commercial kiosks in the usual sense,” Mr Al Meghawi said during the council session yesterday.
Mr Al Meghawi
“They are meant to give productive families – those who make food, handicrafts and traditional items from their homes – a dignified place to sell their work in a beautiful public setting. At the same time, they will add life and movement to the walkway.”
The promenade overlooking the waters beside the historic fort is a favourite for walkers, joggers and families, particularly in the cooler months. However, councillors noted that despite its popularity as a leisure spot, the stretch lacks small attractions that encourage visitors to linger longer.
Mr Al Meghawi said the idea was inspired by similar concepts seen in other public spaces where small, uniform huts provide opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs without affecting the aesthetics of the location.
“We are keen that the design respects the heritage and natural beauty of the area,” he added. “The huts will be simple, organised and in harmony with the surroundings. This is about community support, not clutter.”
Residents in the area have long called for more family-friendly features along the promenade, and councillors believe the huts could create a small weekend market atmosphere, particularly during peak seasons and national events.
Mr Al Meghawi said he hoped the project would also encourage visitors from across Bahrain to rediscover the Arad waterfront.
“This is one of the most beautiful views in Muharraq,” he said. “With a little thoughtful addition, it can become not just a place to walk, but a place to experience local products, meet families behind them, and enjoy the heritage of the area.”
Services and public utilities committee chairman Abdulqader Al Sayed said the recommendation was backed by clear social and economic justifications.
“This proposal serves two important goals,” Mr Al Sayed said. “First, it supports productive families by giving them a direct outlet to market their goods. Second, it enhances the vibrancy of a well-used public promenade without requiring large-scale development.”
Mr Al Sayed
He stressed that the study would look into practical aspects such as layout, safety, pedestrian flow and visual impact before any implementation.
“We want to make sure this is done properly,” he said. “If executed well, it can become a model for how municipal spaces can be used to empower citizens while improving public amenities.”
If approved following the study, the huts could soon turn the quiet coastal path into a lively community corner – blending heritage, livelihood and leisure in one setting.
The fort was named after Arad, the area where it was built, derived from the ancient Greek name for Muharraq Island, once known as Arados.
Built in the late 15th century, the fort was later used by the Portuguese during their occupation of Bahrain in 1521, serving as a defensive structure to protect themselves from attackers within and outside Bahrain. It then came under Omani control in 1800, making it a centre for governance and military. The fort was restored in the 1980s.
Arad Fort was built in the style of traditional Islamic fortresses, featuring a square layout with a watchtower at each corner.
Two of these towers face the sea, while the other two overlook the residential areas behind the fort. Inside, a spacious courtyard houses rooms for officers and soldiers, along with kitchens, storage areas, defensive fortifications, and a central water well.
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