Brisk business at most stalls but some report fewer patrons; original market to reopen late next year after revamp
Source : Straits Times - 19 May 2008
THE temporary home for the stalls in Tekka Market, a 10-minute walk from its original site in Buffalo Road, was officially opened yesterday.
The zinc structure is along Race Course Road, opposite the Banana Leaf Apolo restaurant.
The temporary facility houses 267 of the 538 cooked food, wet market and goods stalls which used to occupy the popular market.
The remaining stall owners have either shut for good, are taking a break or have moved elsewhere temporarily.
Tekka Market, which closed on May 1 for a $12 million refurbishment of its drainage and piping systems, will reopen late next year.
It will also be made more accessible to the elderly and less mobile.
The temporary market was declared open yesterday by Senior Minister of State for Education and Information, Communications and the Arts Lui Tuck Yew, who is also an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.
It seemed to be business as usual, with almost all the stalls open and thronging with patrons.
But some stall owners said they have had 50 to 60 per cent less business since moving in about two weeks ago.
They are blaming this on the market’s distance from its original site and its lack of accessibility. They add that with no covered walkways, customers disappear whenever it rains.
Drink stall owner Mubarak Ali, 45, who has operated at Tekka for 22 years, said customers were there to buy produce rather than to eat and drink at the cooked food stalls.
‘I hope things will improve with time,’ he added.
Textile shop owner S.T. Rani, in his 50s, said his customers
were ‘uncomfortable’ with the relocation because the new atmosphere was very different, ‘but they are gradually getting used to it’.
Rear-Admiral (NS) Lui, addressing these concerns, told reporters that the temporary market was still in its ‘early days’.
‘Improvements will be made along the way to make it more convenient for people to come here. Over time, things will pick up,’ he said.
He added that discussions were under way with the Land Transport Authority to build taxi stands at the market.
RADM Lui added: ‘Tekka Market is an icon and serves not just the people who live here but elsewhere too.’
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