Stallholders upset to turn wet markets to supermarkets

QX179R SG

Stallholders upset over plans to turn wet markets to supermarkets

SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) said on Thursday it will consider the needs of residents before approving any application to convert wet markets into supermarkets.

HDB also said it will ensure the area retains the same variety of choices, as far as possible, when the application is approved.

The possibility of converting a wet market at Marine Parade into an air-conditioned, privately owned supermarket has cast a cloud over the future of stallholders.

Lim Lee Chye, a hawker at Marine Parade wet market, said: "After our lease expires, we won't have a say in the decision, so everyone's worried."

On the other hand, the Federation of Merchants' Association said supermarkets will add value to the community. This is because they can afford to sell goods at lower prices, retail for longer hours and provide work to younger jobseekers.

To retain customers, the association added that stallholders at wet markets must draw on their strengths.

Chua Ser Keng, president of the Federation of Merchants' Association, said: "One advantage they have is that their produce is fresher, so customers can expect better quality when they buy from them."

Another plus point is the sense of community that stallholders bring to the estate.

David Chiang, chairman of Bukit Timah Market Hawker Association, said: "You can see friends drinking tea or chatting. Hawkers are also friendly with one another and sometimes if you don't have enough money, you can put it on your tab."

Currently, there are 101 wet markets in Singapore, owned by the National Environment Agency or under private management.

- CNA/so

5 privately owned wet markets to remain as they are even if Sheng Siong takes over

SINGAPORE: Five privately owned wet markets won't be converted into air-conditioned supermarkets if Sheng Siong takes over.

This is because HDB told MediaCorp, the supermarket chain has expressed taking over the wet markets in their existing state.

The wet markets are located in areas like Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok and Serangoon North.

Earlier, stallholders at the Serangoon Wet Market were trying to garner 3,000 signatures, to petition against the conversion into a supermarket.

Over 600 residents in the area have so far signed the petition which started two days ago.

Stallholders said a supermarket cannot replace the relationships between stallholders and residents.

Ronnie Pang, stallholder, Serangoon Wet Market, said: "We've been here for so many years and we've invested a lot of relationship here. We know the residents here. They've been coming here. We know them for so many years. I don’t think its fair to both us and the residents.”

- CNA/vm

Private operator of Sembawang wet market likely to continue lease

SINGAPORE : MP for Sembawang GRC Khaw Boon Wan has said he is glad Sembawang will continue to have a wet market to meet the needs of residents.

But Mr Khaw, who is also Health Minister, told the media at a community event on Sunday that residents must ensure it is viable.

Mr Khaw said: "Residents will also have to support the wet market, because if they just say I want a wet market but they do not frequent them...at the end of the day, the operator needs to have business.

"If they continue the operation and there are very few customers, then they cannot support the rental, then it will not be sustainable. So I think at the end of the day, it is the consumers who will decide. So the residents have now expressed their view that they want wet market, then I think they should support the wet market operator."

For the last six years, a private operator - Sembawang Mart Pte Ltd - has been renting the entire wet market at Canberra Road from the Housing and Development Board (HDB).

On September 18, the operator gave its 20 tenants a one-month notice to move out, with the intention of transferring the tenancy to NTUC FairPrice when its lease ended.

HDB had earlier promised that should NTUC FairPrice take over, a section would be set aside for fresh market produce, as this is the only wet market in Sembawang.

The stallholders sent petitions to their MP Mr Khaw and residents also requested the private operator renew its tenancy.

MediaCorp understands that come Monday, the private operator will apply for a lease extension of three years with HDB.

- CNA/ms

KPO II SG

JUst a penny for thought!!!

It is important to keep some wet markets in place for its heritage value and fresher food, not forgetting the "good memories" that a child had for accompanying their mum "window shopping" at the wet market. Without doubt, an unforgettable experience for all.

The disconcerting issue here for the stallholders, would be the likelihood of losing their "rice bowl" in the long run. Should the government intervene, would the wet market business be sustainable?

Ultimately, by giving the stallholders a month' time is simply too short to make a wise decision.

QX179R SG

HDB clarifies it cannot interfere in sale of privately-owned wet markets

SINGAPORE: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) has said it cannot take over the wet markets owned by private operators or interfere with the commercial negotiation between the new owner and the stallholders when such wet markets change hands.

The HDB also cannot "impose new requirements that are more stringent on the new owner, compared to those already imposed on the existing one".

HDB said this in a statement on Wednesday in response to recent media reports on the concerns of some stallholders affected by the sale of five wet markets owned by a commercial operator.

These five markets are located in Choa Chu Kang Street 62, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, Serangoon Avenue 3, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 and Fajar Road.

Some of the stallholders have asked the government to intervene so that they can retain their stalls at current rents after the change in the commercial owner of the wet markets.

HDB explained that the existing owner, Heeton, bought four of the five wet markets through separate tenders called by HDB in 1994 and 1996 and one wet market through a resale.

The existing stallholders are, therefore, tenants of Heeton and not HDB. They are also not the former street hawkers who were resettled in centres that are now managed by the National Environment Agency.

HDB said it "understands the concerns of the stallholders that there may be changes to their terms and conditions for tenancy after the sale of the wet markets to a new commercial owner". But it cannot interfere as "the sale of the wet markets is a property transaction between two private parties".

The new owner, Sheng Siong Property, has informed HDB that it is prepared to continue renting out the wet market stalls to the existing stallholders. It will need to discuss the terms and conditions with affected stallholders after the sale of the wet markets is completed.

For affected stallholders who would like to look for alternative stalls, HDB can refer them to vacant market stalls in NEA-managed centres.

HDB will also ensure that the marketing needs of residents are not compromised in the process. Hence, it has disallowed the conversion of the wet markets to supermarkets based on the reasons explained earlier.

HDB will work closely with the local advisers, grassroots leaders and the various stakeholders to manage the change in ownership at the five affected wet markets.

- CNA/ir

Sheng Siong will not raise rent at wet markets for first 3 months of 2010

SINGAPORE: Sheng Siong Supermarket said on Saturday it will not increase rent at the five wet markets that it bought over recently, at least for the first three months of next year.

Even though plans to convert the wet markets into air-conditioned supermarkets have been shelved for now, at least nine out of 130 stallholders have given up their businesses.

Sheng Siong bought the wet markets located at Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok and Fajar Road for over S$20 million. Stallholders at these markets get a one-year contract with Sheng Siong, with a one-month notice period if the space is needed.

Some stallholders said they have decided to move out as they are concerned over the lack of certainty about their future.

This has, in turned, caused some anxiety among those who are staying as they feel empty stalls will dampen the overall business of the wet market.

- CNA/so

Bangulzai SG

SINGAPORE: Five wet markets began their new lease with supermarket giant Sheng Siong on Friday.

But some tenants have left, suspecting rental costs would increase after three months. Moreover, stallholders at some markets reported a 20 per cent decrease in customer traffic.

At the Fajar Market in Bukit Panjang, five out of 22 stalls have closed down. Among them were those that sold fruits, dried goods and meat.

Other stallholders said that customers stopped going to the markets as they now consider them "incomplete".

Bek Seng Seow, seafood seller, Fajar Market said: "Look, there is such a small crowd now. It is already hard as it is, maintaining the stall. If there are so few customers and prices keep rising, how can we survive?"

Tang Sio Hong, vegetable seller, Yew Tee Market said: "The lease will definitely increase. But each year the price will be different. We don’t know how much of an increase, but they will tell us by end—February."

— CNA/sc

mancha SG

Just like pasar malam, ban it, then re-introduce it.

xingg SG

JUst a penny for thought!!!

The disconcerting issue here for the stallholders, would be the likelihood of losing their "rice bowl" in the long run. Should the government intervene, would the wet market business be sustainable?

Ultimately, by giving the stallholders a month' time is simply too short to make a wise decision.

not only for cultural benefits. there is actually economic reasons to it as well.

for instance, small stalls ( which i would like to call monopolistic competitive firms) are highly competitive and caters to a smal group of people. only way they can fight supermarkets is through the quality of their products. hmm, i would say certain stuff are definately much fresher in wet market than in supermarket right? hahah. so yea.. even though price maybe higher than oligopolistic firms like supermarkets. but the former's edge over the latter is quality of products.

also, if the government allows supermarkets to own too much market share, too much market power may lead to consumer exploitation( in terms of higher pricing/ complacency that leads to less improvement in products/services). however, this case is unlikely as NTUC is a government firm? and the government will step in to control the situation if this arises.

IMO, wet markets will remain as it is for a long time. but they face stiff competition from supermarkets which may offer better prices.

p.s. sorry uh. mouth itching.damn long nv touch econs and damn sian. just want to crap.XD

double post.sry