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MR. DAVID FONG PUI-SHEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have two supplementary questions. First, at present there are 6 to 7 vacant stalls in this market. Since the stalls in the vicinity are so crowded, is it possible to rent these 6 to 7 empty stalls in the market? Furthermore, the floors in the market are very uneven with a lot of holes and also the surface is very dilapidated, is it possible to improve the situation as soon as possible?
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English): Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. FONG for these two suggestions which would be put to the department to follow up and put back to the Select Committee to see what remedial action can be taken.
5. MR. DAVID FONG PUI-SHEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—It is learnt that the occupancy rate of the market stalls on the lower floors of To Kwa Wan UC Complex has all along been less than 50%. Has the Council considered any measures to remedy the vacant condition?
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE replied the question (in English): This question concerns the low occupancy rate of the lower floors of To Kwa Wan Market and whether any remedial measures have been taken by the Council to improve the situation.
The market itself comprises 3 storeys, a basement, a ground floor and one upper floor. The basement is almost empty, only 6 stalls out of a total of 112 are occupied. The ground floor has 203 stalls, of which 121 are occupied, i.e. 59% occupancy rate and the first floor has 115 stalls, of which 66 stalls are occupied or 57%. The overall vacancy rate is 55%.
The causes of the low occupancy rate of the market stalls or, in other words, its unattractiveness to the market trade are due apparently to: (a) the poor design of the market, (b) the unsatisfactory ventilation system, and (c) outside competition.
As the market is part of a joint-user building, improvement to its layout and design could only be done in a very limited way and mainly by re-arrangement of the stalls. On this, the Department had in March 1986 carried out alterations to the first floor stalls by demolishing part of the front row of mini-stalls so as to expose the back stalls to make them more attractive to market traders. Unfortunately, the result has not been encouraging and most of the mini-stalls on this floor are still vacant. The Department is also considering various other measures to improve the accessibility to the market. These include the possibility of constructing a footbridge across Ma Tau Wai Road from Lok Shan Road to join the first floor and to widen the entrance of the market by relocating the cooked food centre and the volleyball court.
There are some 25 fresh provision shops and a number of other retail outlets selling similar commodities in the vicinity of the market. Most of these shops were established before the opening of the market and must have their share of regular customers. The Department has been keeping constant liaison with the market lessees to put up promotion activities such as festive decorations. The Department can assist in these activities but much will have to be left to the stallholders themselves. Nevertheless, department staff have been trying whatever they can to assist the stallholders in this respect.
With the completion of the planned improvements I have mentioned, we hope that the market could become more viable.
As the basement which was designed to provide dry goods mini-stalls is clearly not viable, the Department is studying with the Architectural Services Department the feasibility of converting the basement into a car park.
MR. DAVID FONG PUI-SHEUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a supplementary question. As the ventilation of the market is very poor and Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN also mentioned that there are various practical ways of improving the market generally. I understand that the entrance to the market is in a rather concealed position and is very inconvenient. Is it possible to provide more or widen the entrance in order to attract more customers?
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I will have this point taken up by the department. When the ASD tackles the feasibility of providing the MEAT system, they will also take up the point raised by Mr. FONG.
6. MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):—The Yue Wan Market and the Chai Wan Temporary Market are too close together, affecting the business in both. I understand that the Council has approached the Lands Department to obtain a site on which to build a permanent market to rehouse the temporary one. Please could I be informed when the Lands Department was approached on this subject and what was the reply; if no suitable site has as yet been made available, what steps does the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee intend to take to deal with this matter?
MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE replied the question (in English): —Mr. BERNACCHI states that the Chai Wan Temporary Market and the Yue Wan Market are too close together and the business of both is affected. He asks when was Government approached for a site on which to build a permanent market to rehouse the Chai Wan Temporary Market and what was the reply; also, if no suitable site
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