The abrupt closure of Society Business Park has sent shockwaves through the local and international business community, leaving entrepreneurs like Emmanuel Nkole, popularly known as Young Phiroz, scrambling to find alternative accommodations for their ventures.
Following the announcement by the National Pension Scheme Authority – NAPSA Board of Trustees Chairperson, Shipango Mutelo that the entire business park, including the parkade, retail mall, and hotel tower, would be closed to ensure the safety of tenants and the public, concerns have arisen regarding the future of OVER 66 business ventures and the well-being of the workers.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Nkole expressed deep frustration over the lack of prior notice, emphasizing the significant impact the sudden closure has had on his boutique business and its 17 employees. “Relocating to another place is very difficult because then we will have to find a busy place with a lot of customers,” he stated.
Nkole’s sentiment is shared by numerous other tenants who now face the daunting task of relocating their operations with minimal time to prepare. The indefinite closure of SBT has not only disrupted their businesses but has also raised concerns about potential financial losses and the fate of their employees.
Nkole also expressed sympathy for fellow local entrepreneurs, particularly those with only one shop at the park, who may have to move their inventory home, resulting in further losses.
