Sharjah: The new management that has taken over Safeer Mall in Sharjah has revealed an interim name for the once-popular mall and its renovation plan.

As reported by Gulf News on Thursday, Sharjah residents will no longer be shopping at Safeer Mall, as Western International Group, which acquired the property, announced plans to rename it and introduce its hypermarket brand, Mark and Save.

In a statement to Gulf News on Saturday, the management said it has chosen "Mark and Save" as the interim working name for the mall until its renovation is completed and the mall reopens.

“Western International Group proudly announces its acquisition of Safeer Mall, strategically located on Etihad Road (E11), the busiest highway in the UAE, with daily traffic exceeding 100,000 vehicles. This significant step underscores our commitment to delivering an exceptional shopping experience to the residents of Sharjah and the broader UAE community,” the group, which owns popular Nesto Hypermarkets, said.

“As the property undergoes a transformational redevelopment, it will operate under the working name ‘Mark & Save Mall.’ The mall’s exciting new identity and branding will soon be publicly announced, marking a fresh chapter for this iconic retail landmark in Sharjah,” it added.

When asked about the eviction notice served to the handful of retailers continuing their operations in the mall, Nawas Basheer KP, Director of Western International Group, told Gulf News on Saturday: “This [retailers vacating the mall] requirement that we have to undertake considering the huge timeline, size, and cost of the project to adhere to the standards of the Emirate.”

All the tenants had been notified earlier and were given adequate notice to resolve this, he claimed.

He said the new layout of the mall “requires an almost total layout change for the mall.”

“We are working to provide everyone with relocation options when the renovation is completed. According to the company’s consultants, it would take at least 18 months. But we are hoping to complete our work before that,” said Basheer.

“Our focus is to bring back life into the mall in a way that helps the community around it,” Basheer added.

“To realise our vision of establishing Sharjah’s premier retail destination, the mall will undergo extensive redevelopment, involving significant upgrades to interior spaces, exterior aesthetics, and critical infrastructure in and around the mall,” the company stated.

“The total investment for this ambitious project exceeds one billion dirhams,” it revealed.

The management said the 18-month renovation period is required to ensure the mall meets contemporary standards and complies fully with government regulations.

“We sincerely appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all our stakeholders

during this essential redevelopment phase. While these extensive renovations require temporary relocations, this significant investment will ultimately provide an enhanced shopping environment that benefits the entire community. We're committed to

supporting tenants through this transition and exploring future opportunities together,”

Upon reopening, it said the mall will offer visitors an unmatched range of attractions

including the largest family play area in Sharjah, diverse international dining

experiences, a fully serviced gym, and a comprehensive value retail hypermarket.

“This will bring about a new cornerstone for families in Sharjah and beyond to spend their weekends and leisure time,” it added.