First of its kind in Lucknow, a women-only mall to open soon in Charbagh!

Feel safer as you head out for a thorough retail therapy session in Lucknow, with the city's first-ever women-only mall. Lucknow Nagar Nigam has decided to lay the foundation of this exclusive mall in Charbagh. Reportedly, all shops and sellers stationed at this ₹17 crore shopping crores will also be run by women, for the women.

A new way of shopping for women in Lucknow

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Lucknow Nagar Nigam, under the leadership of the town's first female Mayor, Sanyukta Bhatia has pressed on the pedal to drive the set up of the city's first women-only mall. This unique complex is a rather innovative step to promote the idea of women empowerment in the state while ensuring the safety and security of female shoppers in Lucknow. Besides, all mall operations and management will also be helmed by women managers and officers, rounding up a one-of-a-kind experience.

Going by reports, LMC had first moved the initiative of the women-only mall on International Women's Day, this year and after an 8-month hiatus, the plan is back into motion. The Municipal Corporation has earmarked a 5,000 square feet land parcel in Charbagh to construct the new mall. The location is notably near the bus stand, making it an accessible shopping destination for ladies, all over the city.

Construction to begin with the allocation of budget

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The construction design of the shopping mall has been prepared and in the first phase, around 125 shops, each closing a space of 10 by 12 feet will be allotted to women. Only products and goods related to women will be available, including jewellery, clothes, slippers, fashion, bags, showpieces and much more.

Major Sanyukta Bhatia, the brain behind the project reportedly stated that the women-only mall will encourage women safety and self-employment, bolstering the pillars of empowerment here. The mall will also have an underground parking space, which will help the Nagar Nigam raise revenue and set up more such projects. Construction of the mall will start as soon as the budget is allocated, the Mayor added.

Noteworthily, India's first women-only mall was opened in Kozhikode, Kerala in 2018 and Lucknow will be the first of the few cities that have taken such an initiative. The concept is similar to the imperial designs of the 'Meena Bazar', and the mall will open a new avenue for the female folk of Lucknow, to treat them as the Begums they are!

- With inputs from Pawan Kaushal