Balestier Market stallholders reportedly told to move before Apr. 15, 2025

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the response from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA).

Hawkers at Balestier Market were reportedly told to move out of their premises as Apr. 15, 2025 will be their last day of business.

Shin Min Daily News reported that the licence for the food centre will not be renewed.

The owners of Bugis Street Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice told the Chinese media this will be their fourth relocation as a result, after a person in charge of the food centre informed them on Feb. 6 about the need to move.

Shin Min also reported that the specific reason was not clear, but another operator at the Balestier Market confirmed that the authorities were "taking back the land” and verified that the market is closing in about two months' time.

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said: "Balestier Market & Food Centre has been managed by a master tenant KNC Global Pte Ltd since April 2013."

"KNC Global was engaged since October 2024 ahead of the tenancy expiry, with ongoing discussions for a potential tenancy extension of up to two years, to facilitate business continuity and transition plans for the stall sub-tenants."

Balestier Market is privately operated and not managed by the National Environment Agency (NEA).

About Balestier Market

Balestier Market was built in 1922 as a wet market for former street-side fresh food vendors to sell their goods.

The market was just a concrete platform, and a roof was added only in 1925.

It was also known as "Or Kio Pa Sat" (“Black Bridge Market” in Hokkien), named after a black wooden bridge in the vicinity, as well as "Tee Pa Sat" (“Iron Market” in Hokkien) as a metal fence once surrounded the market.

During the Japanese Occupation, the market served as a distribution centre for food rations.

Top photo via Google Map