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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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-would stimulate the economy. However, I have great reservation about the site selection for the following reasons.
First of all, there should be a fixed site and fixed opening hours for a flea market to facilitate residents and visitors, but the Coliseum piazza could fulfil none of these two requisite conditions. The records for 1996/97 and 1997/98 show that about 37 and 31 activities were respectively held on Sundays. Members must not forget that the Coliseum may house 17,000 spectators and the hirers may also use the piazza. As far as the activity proposed is concerned, it cannot be operated on a fixed site or regularly on Sundays. This would not only cause inconvenience to the hirers but also cause confusion to residents and visitors.
As the name implies, the flea market will take up a lot of space to accommodate a large number of stalls selling a diversity of goods. Mr. CHIANG also showed us many pictures. Nevertheless, I wish to point out one fact and that is, the Coliseum piazza could hardly meet the needs. The usable area of the piazza is very limited. There are two food kiosks and three commodity kiosks will be set up. There are several hundred parking spaces to cater to the needs of general users and there are also sitting-out areas and plantation, which have taken up a certain area of the piazza. I don't want to specify the gates where the facilities have taken up space, so as not to waste your time. May I ask how a small-sized flea market with a limited number of stalls is going to attract residents and visitors?
In terms of both the appearance and style, a flea market in the Coliseum piazza is hardly compatible with the Coliseum. As I mentioned just now, the Coliseum is a venue for cultural and recreational activities and the provision of a market-styled activity, that is, a flea market, outside it would be incongruous. What is more important is that it would cause disturbance to the activities inside the Coliseum. Complaints would be lodged by the hirers and participants of activities conducted inside, such as religious gatherings, graduation ceremonies and talks. It would also be very dangerous if an emergency took place while there is an activity inside and evacuation was required. Evacuation of the crowds would be obstructed.
To allow a flea market to be set up in the Coliseum piazza would also indirectly reduce the revenue of the Council. At present the Council charges the kiosks a certain percentage of the daily proceeds and rental. The proceeds from the food kiosk and three commodity kiosks amount to some $2m a year. The introduction of a flea market is no less than the introduction of competition, which would bring about pressure to the kiosk operators. They may also sue the Council for breaching the contracts because when they tendered for the kiosks, they did not expect that a flea market would be set up within the area.
Having summed up the above arguments, I can conclude that the Coliseum piazza is not an ideal site for the setting up of a flea market. Moreover, there
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