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SINGAPORE: Some stallholders at the upgraded Tekka Market said business has been hurt by unfair competition from those outside the premises. They claim business is down by between 20 and 50 per cent.
Buffalo Road along Tekka Market bustles with life, more so during weekends, as people flock to the area for their provisions.
Some Tekka Market stallholders said businesses there have been selling goods at below market prices.
And they said due to space constraints, they can't buy in bulk and offer similar prices.
They added that the stalls extend beyond their boundaries, thereby restricting traffic flow and access to Tekka Market's carpark.
Said one vegetable seller: "The car park is affecting our business. Many of our customers actually complain to us that they do not get space to park their car. Sometimes there is a long queue outside the road along the Little India way, just outside the market. That means there is not enough space for cars. There is no proper route to the car park and the cars have to wait along the road to enter the car park, so that is another problem."
Many said there must be better crowd and traffic control in the area.
But businesses along Buffalo Road feel otherwise, saying it's not a daily problem.
Said one man in the street: "Very few people patronise the wet market because foreigners don't like to go to there."
Unlike the shops along Buffalo Road, stallholders at Tekka Market said they can't open till late as half the lights are switched off after midnight.
But the Town Council and market's association said normal lighting from 7pm till midnight is sufficient for business operations.
The Town Council said it will review the timing of the lightings, if necessary.
Separately, the National Environment Agency said they have not received any feedback of poor business by stallholders at the centre.
It also did not reduce the number of access points when upgrading the premises.
The HDB said improvement works are being carried on the car park and traffic flow there.
Several lots were temporarily barricaded for safety reasons while works were carried out.
These are expected to be completed next month.
As the existing building is already surrounded by shops, HDB said it was not possible to create additional access nor reconstruct the whole car park.
But to alleviate the traffic congestion, HDB has implemented several measures.
This includes installing additional directional signs to direct motorists to other car parks.
HDB said this is to discourage motorists from queuing along the road to enter the Tekka Market car park.
It has also implemented Electronic Parking System at the car park to increase turn-over of short-term parking and reduce congestion. - CNA/vm
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