Source : Straits Times - 27 Mar 2009
THE owners of 24 street stalls in Pagoda Street are unhappy about having to move to new locations nearby by the end of May.
They say the move will dampen their earnings, since their customers will not know their new addresses.
News of the move was broken to these stallholders late last year, with reminders about it coming in letters from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) 10 days ago.
Of the stalls, which sell souvenir and novelty items, 15 have until April 15 to move, and the rest, until May 31.
They will be re-sited in Smith and Trengganu streets within the Chinatown neighbourhood.
When contacted, STB director for attractions Jeannie Lim said the move was part of the plan to ‘reconfigure’ the Chinatown Street Market, which comprises Pagoda, Trengganu and Sago streets, to ‘create a more seamless dining and shopping experience’.
Representatives from the Chinatown Business Association, which runs the market, have been talking to the stall owners about the move. Another briefing will be held for them today.
The meeting will give the affected stalls information on concessions such as rental waivers, which they will receive.
AMELIA TAN
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