Shopkeepers in Damphu town, Tsirang, are unhappy with the Damphu Municipal Office’s restriction on displaying items in front of shops or within shop corridors. Business owners say the move has negatively impacted their sales, citing congestion in many shops across the town. However, the Tsirang District Administration stated that the decision was made after consulting the shopkeepers to ensure a clean and safe town. There are around 300 businesses in Damphu town. Among them, general, garment and hardware shops are the most affected.
Damphu town is widely known for its cleanliness and is organised with flowers adorning buildings throughout the town. Moreover, the absence of things displayed in front of shops has further enhanced the town’s visual appeal for visitors.
However, the restriction has not been well received by many shopkeepers in the town. The imposition doesn’t allow business owners to display things beyond their doorways. Shopkeepers say that complying with the restriction has been difficult as many buildings in the town were constructed in the early 1990s and are not spacious enough to accommodate growing customer demand.
Shopkeepers said their daily sales have declined significantly since the municipal office enforced the restriction.
In a written response, the Damphu Municipal Office stated that the restriction of displaying goods in front of shops is to maintain Damphu as a unique and distinct “Bhutanese Town.” The move is also intended to preserve the town’s aesthetic beauty and serve as precautionary measures against potential disasters.
The municipal office further stated that business owners have been encouraged to look for separate storage spaces in other nearby areas to resolve the space congestion issue. It also encouraged plot owners to undertake appropriate reconstruction and renovation, noting that many buildings were constructed over three decades ago and were not designed for commercial purposes.
According to the municipal office, construction approvals for such improvements are being provided on a priority basis to promote safer, more functional, and better-planned commercial infrastructure in the town. However, business owners say, finding separate stores nearby is difficult and costly.
A group of shopkeepers also appealed to the Tsirang District Administration on Monday, requesting flexibility to display their goods within their respective shop corridors, particularly during peak school reopening times.
The business owners are currently awaiting a response from the municipal office.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang
Edited by Kipchu
