Tiong Bahru Market to close for 3 months from Apr. 14, will get new tables, tiles & improved toilets

Tiong Bahru Market and Food Centre will be closing for 3 months from Apr. 14 to Jul. 13.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA) website, the market is being closed for repairs and redecoration.

NEA issued a notice to stallholders dated Jan. 17, The Straits Times reported, stating that both the wet market and the hawker centre will be off-limits during the upgrading works.

The market last underwent a major renovation and upgrade eight years before in 2017.

New paint, tables & tiles

NEA said that the renovation includes fresh paint, new tables, stools, floor tiles, and skid-preventing waterproof materials at the carpark. 

Toilets, lighting, and ventilation will also be improved, NEA added.

ST reported that horticulture in the market courtyard will also get an "enhancement".

According to the NEA website, such repairs and redecoration works are regularly conducted to ensure that markets are kept clean.

Hawker reps were consulted

NEA added that hawker representatives were consulted before the timing and scope of the repairs and redecoration were decided.

Rent for all 342 stallholders onsite will also be waived during the renovation works, and will not be raised as a result of the upgrades.

Some of the stallholders who spoke to ST expressed confusion and doubts about the upgrade works, with some expecting to struggle financially.

However, the chairman of Tiong Bahru Market Hawkers’ Association Loh Teck Seng, who is also a soya bean milk hawker at the market, told ST that such upgrading works "ultimately helps businesses in the long run".

Top photo from Google Maps