City Centre in Qurm had what is becoming a trend in Oman – as ‘soft opening’ today. Playing safe they have opened with their key flotilla of tenants, Al Shaya, Gulf Greetings, Jawads and a few deep-pocketed Omani companies, Khimji, Asserain.

HnM are probably the most anticipated new opening – they missed the soft start but are almost there. The centers layout is an improvement on Muscat City Centre but inexplicably the overall appearance is anodyne and the disinterested shop staff on their first day of trading managed to merge into the displays.

The next soft opening to look forward to, Al Bustan on Sunday 2nd November