A rescue plan has been launched to help revive dying business centres such as malls and other outlets near the now demolished GCC (Pearl) roundabout in Bahrain.

The Manama Municipal Council is planning to come to the aid of those affected after complaints that the area had turned into a 'ghost town'.

Councillors yesterday called for a reduction in the presence of security forces in the area to bring back business.

They also pledged to help fund marketing campaigns for those affected once the situation returned to normal.

Councillors have instructed businesses to continue running promotional offers until the end of the year to try and boost trade. Dana Mall, Marina Mall, Al Muntazah Supermarket and nearby petrol station, which includes a car service centre and cold store, and Super and Brite Laundries are reportedly barely getting any customers.

'Real solutions to end the problems of businesses in the area are not in our hands, but we are working to ensure that businesses continue their operations,' said council vice-chairman Mohammed Mansoor.

'The security presence in mass nearby is shooing away business and for the past seven months there was hope that police and guards would be reduced, but this didn't happen.

'We are planning to negotiate with those concerned to have security personnel back off to as close as possible to the new Al Farouk Junction, which replaced the roundabout, so customers can feel free to go on with their shopping and services.

'The problem is that whenever protesters post something on Twitter or Facebook that they are going to reoccupy the place, more security personnel are brought in and businesses are told to close.'

Mr Mansoor said that the council plan aimed at keeping the businesses afloat in the hope the situation returned to normal.

'We are aware that since there are no real political solutions, more lies on the shoulders of security personnel, but having more of them come to the area is not helping change a thing,' he said.

'Reoccupying the roundabout is impossible, so tightening up security is not leading anywhere except for a further loss to businesses and this is something those concerned have to know about.

'His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, shares the grievances of businessmen and this was something he stressed last week during a meeting at the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. We as councillors are backing him and the leadership to have businesses stand on their feet.'

'We will pay for marketing promotions if necessary and will do whatever it takes to ensure that the businesses continue without closing down as they are needed.

'Businesses can continue with their promotions, let's say until the end of the year until we get a clear decision from the leadership or vision from those concerned on what will happen next,' he added. – TradeArabia News Service