A controversial proposal to limit the operational hours of shops, laundries, cafés, restaurants and cold stores from 5am to midnight has been unanimously approved by the Southern Municipal Council.
The proposal, spearheaded by the council’s services and public utilities committee chairman Hamad Al Zoubi, aims to address complaints from residents about noise, disturbances and traffic congestion caused by late-night business operations.
If implemented, businesses would be restricted from operating round the clock, except for those that can obtain a special 24-hour licence from the Industry and Commerce Ministry, following an official assessment.
Mr Al Zoubi has suggested that the rule first be enforced in Zallaq before expanding across the Southern Governorate and eventually the entire country.
“We are not against businesses operating, but we have to consider the rights of residents who suffer from excessive noise, disturbances and heavy traffic late at night,” Mr Al Zoubi said.
“This regulation will bring much-needed balance between commercial activity and the well-being of the community.
“My area, Zallaq, is an area where we have received numerous complaints and it serves as a good starting point for this initiative. If successful, we could gradually roll it out to other areas to ensure a structured and well-monitored implementation.”
Mr Al Zoubi
He believes that the majority of companies in the country need not open beyond midnight allowing workers and children to sleep peacefully at night and not be disturbed from their slumber.
“Things could be done earlier in the day, after work, after prayers, so there is no need to open in the early hours of the morning and such examples cover laundries, cafés, restaurants and cold stores.
“Should opening be necessary for businesses such as pharmacies and petrol stations, permits could be granted following an assessment by the Industry and Commerce Ministry.”
The proposal, however, has sparked criticism from MPs who view it as ‘unnecessary interference’.
Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairman and Bahrain Chamber board member MP Ahmed Al Salloom has strongly opposed the move, arguing that businesses should have the freedom to determine their own working hours based on market demand.
“Whether someone opens two hours or 24, this is determined by business,” said Mr Al Salloom. “There are businesses such as shawarma stalls that open at 5pm and close at 2am because it is the time they make money,” he said. “All shawarma stalls in Adliya operate 24 hours and they are thriving. Also, some breakfast shops open at 3am and close at 2pm, so forcing a 5am opening is wrong.”
He pointed out that the complaints were not due to businesses themselves but rather customer behaviour.
“There may be some complaints but these are related to inconsiderate habits by customers, not the businesses themselves,” said Mr Al Salloom, who is also the Bahrain Small and Medium Enterprises Development Society chairman and Better Life Society chairman.
“Councillors are arguing that because businesses are open, there are noises, rants and disturbances. These disturbances happen throughout the day, not just at night.”
Business owners fear the regulation could have financial repercussions, particularly for establishments that rely on late-night customers. Many say boy racers in souped up cars racing around the country cause more disturbances to families trying to sleep at night.
Mr Al Salloom, who is also Strategic Thinking Bloc president, urged authorities to reconsider and instead focus on enforcing stricter regulations against noise pollution and public disturbances rather than restricting business operations. “The right approach is to deal with disturbances directly, whether through policing or awareness campaigns. Blanket restrictions on business operations are not the solution,” he added.
The proposal has been now forwarded to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak to refer to Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro for review.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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