Naif Souq to be rebuilt in just eight months

Deira's Naif Souq, which was gutted in a fire earlier this month, will be rebuilt within eight months, according to Hussain Nasser Lootah, acting general director of Dubai Municipality.

Around 183 shops were destroyed in the fire on 2 April.

Lootah added that the municipality had already started work on the design of the new market, which would be built with 'local architectural designs' in mind.

"There will be around 350 shops with almost double the capacity of the destroyed souq. The souq will be a two-storey, air-conditioned building, and will have additional facilities for traders and shoppers," he said.

Until the new souq is built, traders will operate from a temporary one, which will be built within two months about 500m away from the previous site.

"Traders will be charged minimal rent at the temporary souq and will also be given priority at the new souq," said Lootah.

The Naif souq, one of the oldest in Dubai, was called Box Souq before it was renovated during the 1980s.

It was named Naif Souq because of it proximity to Naif Fort in Deira. The souq was constructed 25 years ago.