JEDDAH – The mall – which was closed down by Jeddah Municipality on Monday for displaying advertisements on its outer walls – was found doing normal business on Tuesday even though its main entry lanes were blocked. During a visit to Al-Salam Mall located in Al-Sulaimania District, Saudi Gazette found that its back gate, used for delivery of merchandise, was open. Visitors to the mall were using this gate to get into the mall. The manager of the mall, Wissam Al-Hazmi, said they will be removing the advertisements from the outer walls so that the municipality opens all entry gates to the mall. Al-Hazmi said the closure has not affected them as customers are keen to visit and shop. “We have a remarkable reputation and we will be able to overcome this challenge,” he said. He told Saudi Gazette that they contacted the municipality to reach an agreement, but were told to remove the advertisements first. “We have two screens, each costing SR1.5 million. We wanted to reach an agreement, but now we are left with no option but to remove them, and that will take some time.” Al-Hazmi said the mall has over 450 shops with 6,000 employees, 2,500 of whom are Saudis. Muhammad Al-Bouqami, the spokesman of the municipality, said they blocked the mall gates after warning the administration of the mall thrice. Asked why is the mall still open, he said, “They are stubborn! Now we are left only with one option, which is to cut off electricity. But the mall has generators, that is why it is still operating.” The violation that the mall committed was to place an advertisement screen on the outer walls. The advertisement screen, said Al-Bouqami, is allowed only for road billboards according to the municipality regulations. However, Saudi Gazette has learned that there are no specific article that bans the use of advertisement screens on malls or buildings.
