Shopkeepers at the historic Qaysari Bazaar in central Erbil have criticized its renovation after a blaze burned many of the shops. The reconstruction supervisor has promised to address any remaining flaws.

Many shopkeepers have complained that the contractor has not conducted the work properly and that the renovation process has not done justice to the historic market. 

One of the main complaints relates to the plasterwork. Shopkeepers say the plasterers did not have the necessary skills and criticized their work. There are noticeable curves and irregularities in the walls and ceilings of the shops, which have made the interior appearance of the shops unattractive.

They are also concerned about the bazaar’s waiter drainage system, saying that the irregular placement and unevenness of floor tiles are leading to water accumulating and stagnating in some areas, causing sanitation problems. 

However, the supervisor of the renovation praised the process as one that “was completed to a high standard.” 

“The deadline given to us for finishing this project was July 11, 2025, but we handed it over to the shop owners in April 2025—well ahead of schedule. All the work was completed to a high standard,” Sangar Mohammed, supervisor of the renovation of the Qaysari Bazaar, told Rudaw on Monday. 

“We are doing everything we can to complete it with no shortcomings,” he added. 

Mohammed explained that the arches and decorative features would be completed later, as they require detailed work, assuring that any minor issues or flaws would be promptly fixed once the renovation is finished.
 
“Regarding the water drainage system, it needs to be installed externally for the safety of the bazaar. Because the Qaysari Bazaar is built from mud and brick, even a small water leak could affect the entire structure,” Mohammed said.
 
The method of installing drainage pipes outside the shops and under the barriers and inner arches has been criticized. According to the shopkeepers, this method has given the ancient market an unattractive and irregular appearance and is incompatible with its historical and architectural value.

The dissatisfied shopkeepers are demanding that authorities investigate these problems. 

A fire erupted at the Qaysari Bazaar in May, burning down a total of 270 shops and seven storage units. More than 100 people were injured in the blaze, according to the governor’s office.
 
Fires are a perennial concern in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq where safety standards are sub-par. Electrical faults and lack of basic safety measures are a major part of the problem.