Large-scale events at East Coast Park hurt some hawkers' business
By Sharon See & Evelyn Lam | Posted: 12 April 2010 2227 hrs
SINGAPORE: Outdoor events at East Coast Park are drawing the
crowds but appear to be driving away business for some hawkers.
The East Coast Lagoon Food Village is usually quiet on weekdays, and it
counts on the weekend and public holiday crowd for business to pick up.
Last year, there were 22 large-scale outdoor events held on weekends,
affecting some public amenities, such as a carpark near the hawker
centre, which was closed, leaving visitors with fewer lots.
But the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said it kept part of the
carpark open, and there are some 500 carpark lots near the hawker
centre.
Still, some hawkers feel that fewer lots mean fewer customers.
"Business is quite good on weekend mornings, but there're fewer
customers when the carpark is closed," said a hawker. "When people park
somewhere else, they don't really come here much."
The National Parks Board said large-scale events at East Coast Park can
help to draw the crowds.
Stallholders agreed that larger crowds do improve their business, as
long as the carpark is not closed.
- CNA/yb