Poor business at Tekka
By
Sumita Sreedharan Mar 13, 2010 - The Straits Times
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.