Two more wet markets to go

Markets at Elias Road and Hougang St 51 have also been taken over by supermarket chains

TWO more privately managed wet markets will make way for more upscale outlets.

The latest markets to be taken over by supermarket chains are at Block 623, Elias Road and Block 21, Hougang Street 51.

In recent weeks, eight such privately owned markets have been offloaded to such chains, much to the chagrin of residents.

The Elias Road market will be replaced by a Sheng Siong 'air-conditioned market'. Stallholders have been told to move out by Feb 28 next year.

The one at Hougang, meanwhile, has been taken over by Shop N Save, and is already undergoing a makeover to become the chain's latest outlet.

The spate of takeovers over the last few weeks has left residents nervous about where they will get their fresh produce, and whether they will have to pay more as a result of having to shop at a supermarket.

The chorus of concern led Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan - who is also an MP for Sembawang GRC, where one of the affected markets is located - to publicly reassure residents that he would work to keep the wet market environment available to them.

Speaking at the launch of the revamped Marsiling market and hawker centre on Sunday, Mr Khaw said that he understood how important wet markets were to residents, and would make sure their interests were protected.

The affected neighbourhoods, besides Elias Road and Hougang Street 51, are Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok West, Serangoon, Bukit Panjang and Sembawang.

There are 19 privately owned wet markets in Singapore. Owners of the 11 that have not been taken over said they have no plans to sell or lease out their properties. Said Mr Neo Eng Seng, who owns the market at Block 678A Woodlands Avenue 6: 'The stallholders are all my friends, we are like one big family. I will not betray them. We will continue selling.'

Others, like Mr Jason Sim who manages the wet market at Block 823A Tampines Street 81, have sent out memos informing tenants that there were no plans to give up the premises. 'Even if we get a good offer, we won't sell,' Mr Sim said, adding that the management team will be renewing contracts with tenants today.

When asked about its takeovers, a spokesman for Sheng Siong, which snapped up six privately owned wet markets recently, said: 'In the recent wet market transactions, some people only took it at face value. They did not question why the sale and purchase occurred in the first place.

'Times are changing, and the market is responding to such changes. No business can survive if it was to keep losing money over a period of time. Thus you have owners who want out while new entrants take on the new business.'

She pointed out that wet market takings are insufficient to cover expenses in the long run. But such explanations are cold comfort to residents.

In Hougang Street 51, for example, residents who live near the market said that since its closure, they have had to go to supermarkets, which they said charge more for food items.

Others complained about the inconvenience they faced. 'I can still do marketing at Hougang Central, but that is farther away,' said nurse Daisy Abraham, 36.

Stallholders are equally downbeat about losing their livelihood. The owner of a dried goods stall at the Elias Road market is dreading the future.

'I am the sole breadwinner, so are many of the others,' said the 55-year-old father of three who wanted to be known only as Mr Sherll. 'This is the disadvantage of being in a private market. Suddenly it's sold off, and where do I go?'

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STAYING PUT

In Punggol/Sengkang:

Block 168, Punggol Field, #B1-01 Punggol Plaza

21 Sengkang West Avenue, #01-01 Fernvale Point

Block 118, Rivervale Drive, #01-30 Rivervale Plaza

In Woodlands:

Block 678A, Woodlands Avenue 6, #01-24, multi-storey carpark

Block 548, Woodlands Drive 44, #01-50 Vista Point

Block 883, Woodlands Street 82, #01-500 Woodlands North Plaza

In Bishan:

Block 151A, Bishan Street 11, #01-01 Chung Ling Wet Market

In Tampines:

Block 7, Tampines Street 32/34, #01-01 Tampines Mart wet market

Block 823A, Tampines Street 81, #01-01, multi-storey carpark

In Choa Chu Kang:

Block 532, Choa Chu Kang Street 51, #01-51 Limbang Wet Market

In Jalan Besar:

Block 1, Jalan Berseh, #B1-00 New World Centre

CHANGES ON THE WAY

Set to become Sheng Siong outlets:

Block 154A, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, #01-01

Block 622, Choa Chu Kang Street 62, #01-01

Block 253, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, #01-24

Block 446, Fajar Rd, #01-01/04

Block 267, Serangoon Avenue 3, #01-01

Block 623, Elias Rd, #B1-01 Bai Sha Market

Set to become NTUC FairPrice outlet:

Block 511, Canberra Rd, #01-11

Set to become a Shop N Save outlet:

Block 21, Hougang Street 51, #01-52 Hougang Green Shopping Mall

Source: Straits Times, 8 Oct 2009