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POPIAH seller Alan Tay moved from a hawker centre in Yishun to
Tekka Market, thinking there would be more business there. It has
not worked out that way.
'I make just enough to cover expenses,' he said, adding he pays
$1,500 a month in rent.
Mr Tay is apparently not alone in feeling the squeeze on
earnings at Tekka. It reopened in August last year after a 14
1/2-month break for renovations.
When The Sunday Times visited on Thursday, at least 18 stalls
were vacant or closed. There was a queue of customers at only one
stall.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) said operators of five
cooked food stalls have quit since Tekka was revamped.
Currently, 115 of the 119 cooked food stalls are occupied. The
vacant stalls are being tendered out. Two common grouses cited by
the hawkers, who pay between $1,000 and $1,500 a month in rent,
concern parking and ventilation.