Source : Straits Times – 12 Oct 2009
STALLHOLDERS at Sembawang New Market in Canberra Road – the only wet market in Sembawang – will stay put after all, instead of making way for a FairPrice supermarket.
Health Minister and Sembawang GRC MP Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday the market operator has decided to extend its lease with the Housing Board.
The decision came after news broke more than a week ago that stallholders at the wet market had been told to leave by the end of the month.
The market’s master tenant had decided to end its lease, and it was reported that the space would likely be taken over by a FairPrice supermarket.
That will not happen now.
Describing the latest turn of events as a ‘good development’, Mr Khaw said the operator was now discussing the extension of its tenancy with the HDB.
Speaking to reporters after a community sports event at Sembawang Park, Mr Khaw also assured Singaporeans that the first batch of vaccines against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus would arrive within ‘the next few weeks’.
There is no fixed date yet on when the vaccines will be available, and the authorities are working out the details on how these will be distributed, he said.
As for Sembawang New Market, Mr Khaw said residents were keen to have the wet market continue. ‘Residents’ interests will be preserved and protected,’ he added.
When contacted, the market’s operator said it had applied to the HDB to extend its lease by three years.
Stallholders at the market said yesterday they did not know that the lease had been extended.
‘We have not received any notification, but we were hoping to stay on,’ said Madam Ng Chye Hong, 42, who runs a stall selling fish balls and cakes.
Many of them, like meat seller Aw B. K., 45, were relieved that they would not have to move out after all.
‘It’s not easy to find a stall elsewhere. Over here, we’ve already established a base of regular customers,’ said Mr Aw, who has been operating at the market for three years.
Despite the good news, the stallholders now have another worry – their rents may go up.
They now pay at least $3,000 a month in rent, but this may increase by $500.
‘We want to stay but if rent goes up, it will be very tough for us,’ said meat seller Piay Yew Wah, 50.
Sembawang resident Xiao Yu Ling, 35, was pleased that the wet market next to her home would not be moving out any time soon.
‘It will probably be more expensive shopping at a supermarket,’ said Miss Xiao, a factory operator.
GLAD TO STAY
‘It’s not easy to find a stall elsewhere. Over here, we’ve already established a base of regular customers.’
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