The Republic’s oldest and largest flea market at Sungei
Road, popularly known as Thieves’ Market, will shut for good on
July 10, a joint statement from various agencies said on Tuesday
(Feb 14).
Located between Jalan Besar and Rochor Canal Road, the
site will be taken back by the Government for ground preparation
works for future residential development use.
The joint statement added: “While the Sungei Road
Hawking Zone has had a long history, and holds special memories for
many Singaporeans, over time, the nature of the site has changed,
as reflected in both the profile of vendors and buyers, and type of
goods sold. The Government has assessed that such street trades
should only be allowed to continue in designated venues like trade
fairs and flea markets, rather than on a permanent basis, to
minimise disamenities to the public.”
Only 11 of the original 31 rag-and-bone men who were
given permits to operate there in the 1970s to 1980s are still
operating at Thieves’ Market. These vendors will be given the
option of operating lock-up stalls at Golden Mile Food Centre and
Chinatown Market at subsidised rates after the flea market closes.
The allocation of the lock up stalls will be by ballot.
Other vendors use the site on a first-come-first-serve
basis. The authorities said Social Service Offices will arrange for
financial assistance, while Workforce Singapore will provide
employment services to vendors who may require such help.
The flea market — believed to have been around since
the 1930s — started out as a venue for people to sell stolen goods,
explaining its moniker. For years, it has been home to vendors who
sell used items from laptops and shoes to vinyl records and
watches.
Thieves’ Market operates daily from 1pm to 7pm, with as
many as 300 lots for vendors to peddle their wares.
The National Heritage Board has started research and
documentation efforts on the flea market and its vendors to
preserve memories of the site for future generations. Some of these
efforts are available on Roots.sg.
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