AL KASAR

 ANY NEWS OFF ANYTHING HAPENING IN THE AL KASAR , ANY MORE BUISNESS ? ITS ALL GONE VERY QUIET ??

Im out in Condado at the moment and Al Kasar is really quiet (in fact the whole place is very very quite) with only the ML office, Golf shop, Supermaket and Clover open.

Clover has changed opening times, now 16.30 open to midnight close.

I had been told that since IRM have greatly reduced the rental for units in Al Kasar that another bar, a pharmacy, a bakery, a pizza restaurant and an Indian Restaurant are all planned for early 2012. I think they all have to get licences and then  the units have to be fitted out so I didn't expect anything to happen quickly. I'd also heard that IRM have had applications from Property Management companies who double as estate agents but IRM have wanted to avoid filling Al Kasar up with those types of stores. However I got this info third hand so some may be rumour and only some may be true. I did wonder if the pizza place and bakery may be combined.

As we saw with the new venture at the sports zone it took longer than originally suggested for that to open- the wheels run slowly! Those owners did some alterations but effectively that building had much already in place. If you look at Al Kasar all the units a great empty chasms so there's a lot of work and expense for any new business to do before they can have their 1st day of business.

It's such a pity CdA goes so quiet in the off season and we all have to hope there'll be enough trade to keep these ventures afloat- unless they just run seasonally or reduce their hours off season. I imagine we're back to the 'if Paramount Park' happens' scenario for it all to be a roaring success.

I've heard similar rumours but didn't expect anything until before next summer.  Generally take what I hear and add 6mths to a year!!

Although CdA is very quiet in the off season I think this is a catch 22 situation.  In the off season facilities are even more important as pools and beaches take a back seat.  But if people don't come because of lack of facilities and facilities aren't provided due to lack of people....

Other big factor from my trips is that if the supermarket is not an attractive option compared with Campasol and Alhama then shops like bakeries may miss out on the traffic they need.  Personally I would love to be able to do my shopping in CdA and stop off at a bakery and a coffee shop at the same time.  But we generally go to Alhama or Campasol and visit a cafe, bookstore, chinese shop etc at the same time.

I can't say I know anyone who shops at CdA outside getting bread and milk or picking up the odd item.