The Gulf Times reports that shop keepers in the old center of town are having sleepless nights, scared that their stores will be the next to be bulldozed.

In particular, rumors are rife at the 12-year-old Souq Najada complex beside Souq Waqif. Says one shopkeep:

“Even though we have not been told of any demolition plans, the visits of municipal authorities at the souq at an increased pace these days is sending shivers down the spines of every outlet operator here.”

Where shops being pushed out are meant to go remains unclear as new retail space in Doha is offered at much higher rates, and outlying locales such as Barwa Village are inconvenient to get to, thus get few customers.

Meanwhile, some Doha residents fear the loss of such shops are driving up prices.