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SINGAPORE – Flower vendors and fortune tellers with makeshift stalls near two popular Waterloo Street temples will need a license starting next year to operate on designated lots as authorities move to deal with overcrowding and obstruction .
Starting on January 4 of next year, the 41 street vendors will have to progressively move into these allocated lots, which measure 2m by 1.5m.
In a joint statement on Tuesday (December 8), the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), the Singapore Food Agency and the Urban Redevelopment Authority said this will allow a safe distance between street vendors in the area, the unobstructed access to fire trucks and will give pedestrians more room to walk.
“Today, the pedestrian mall is often full of stalls and discarded boxes that obstruct the roads.
“These are not conducive to both street vendors and visitors to the area, and are potential fire hazards,” the agencies said.
By congregating in close proximity, street vendors also pose public health and safety concerns in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, they added.
The vendors are 19 fortune tellers, 19 flower vendors, two reflexologists, and a shoemaker.
Flower vendors will be allocated a space closer to the temples, the agencies said.
For decades, they have had the freedom to choose where to operate in the pedestrian mall in front of the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple and the Sri Krishnan Temple.
Suppliers will also need to obtain a temporary occupancy license, which will cost $ 48.15 per month.
The agencies said that those facing financial difficulties can approach the SLA for help. Suppliers will only have to start paying the fee from June 2021.
All existing suppliers will be awarded a lot, which will be assigned by vote.
SLA said the license, which is renewable for three years and is subject to renovation plans, is not transferable and that the 41 providers cannot sublet their seats.
A new license will not be granted if existing providers retire.
Work to create space for suppliers will be carried out in phases without disrupting their business, the SLA added.
Denise Phua, MP for the GRC Jalan Besar, who oversees the area around Waterloo Street, said residents, over the years, have called for the area to be cleaner, safer and less crowded.
“I am encouraged by agencies to ensure that all existing providers will be given a lot, and that they can all continue to practice their craft,” he said, adding that authorities have done everything possible to balance the needs of all parties. interested. .
The 41 vendors, who operate there for 10 to 15 years on average, were informed of the changes on Tuesday, including reflexologist Ng Song Hua.
The 78-year-old, who has been serving clients in the area for 18 years, said he understands the reason for the move, adding that the $ 48.15 fee is a reasonable sum.
“The only problem is that we will now have a smaller space to work and wheelchair customers may not be fully protected. It would be nice if we could have a little more space, ”said Mr Ng, whose position now occupies an area of 4.5 m by 2 m.
Flower seller Catherine Teo, 65, whose family has had a stall in the area since the 1960s, said: “The changes will also make the area more attractive to tourists.”
She doubts the move will affect her business.
“The authorities assured us that we will still be near the temple, and our regular customers will still know where to find us,” added Madam Teo.
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