Photo Feature
Old-style market forced to give way to new complex
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ˇ§It causes us a lot of troubles every time we move around, and now I even have to stop selling dried seafood. How can I make the change so easily when I am earning my living from that?ˇ¨ she asked.
The FEHD has told stallholders of wet food products or dry seafood to sell dry goods only instead after they move to their new open street market locations because of hygienic concerns. Moreover, the limited number of stalls will be allocated by a draw. If one fails to obtain a stall, he will have either to move to the indoor market or to give up his licence in return for a lump sum of $20,000 compensation from the FEHD.
ˇ§Having a licence means there is still a chance of making a living. Surrendering the licence ˇV what can you do with $20,000? Itˇ¦s like killing a chicken for its eggs,ˇ¨ Choi said.
The stallholders are still negotiating with the government about the compensation and the exact date of the removal. They also disagree to draw lots.
For vendors who are willing to move indoors to the market in Zenith, they need to bid once a year to keep their stalls. The FEHD will put the starting bid at half of the present stall price for the first three years. The stallholders will have their rent waived for four months. But all these incentives seem unattractive to the vendors.
Au Yeung Hin-on, 63, who has been selling clothes and shoes in Tai Yuen Street for more than 30 years, worried that there would be fewer shoppers in the indoor market than that in the street.
ˇ§We will have to pay a rent of $4,000 to $6,000 per month. I am now just paying
$390 each month. How am I going to make a living?ˇ¨ Au Yeung asked.
Wan Chai District Councillor Cheng Ki-kin, who has been working closely on the issue and trying to help the vendors present their views to the district council, said Hong Kong people tended to show no sympathy towards the minority groups and they did not care about the culture.
ˇ§Of course, I am not saying the old must be kept or the new must be bad, but the government has to strike a balance when the two clash. It seems to me that they are putting much more effort in rebuilding the city than keeping the culture,ˇ¨ he said.
An old woman chats with the owner of a crystal stone stall.
Stalls selling wet food and dry seafood are one of the oldest shops opened in Tai Yuen Street.
