<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Oct 10, 2009
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Not all markets to convert <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>They do not meet criteria for conversion into supermarkets </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Jessica Lim
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HDB says that not all wet markets will be converted into Sheng Siong outlets. -- PHOTO: WANBAO
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->SUPERMARKET chain Sheng Siong, which is planning to take over six wet markets, has been told by the Housing Board that it cannot convert them into supermarkets.
The wet markets will have to stay because they do not meet the criteria for conversion into supermarkets, the HDB said on Friday.
Applications for such instances of conversion of use are assessed on a case-by- case basis, depending on the needs of residents, stall occupancy rate, operating hours and number of customers.
But while the HDB's announcement should please residents who are loath to give up shopping in their neighbourhood wet markets, there is still a question mark over the stallholders' livelihood.
This is because when Sheng Siong formally takes over ownership of the markets, it will have the power to decide whom to rent to, and at what price.
The six wet markets are in Choa Chu Kang Street 62, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, Serangoon Avenue 3, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Block 623 Elias Road and Fajar Road.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times
[email protected]
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Not all markets to convert <!--10 min-->
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>They do not meet criteria for conversion into supermarkets </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Jessica Lim
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
HDB says that not all wet markets will be converted into Sheng Siong outlets. -- PHOTO: WANBAO
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"-->SUPERMARKET chain Sheng Siong, which is planning to take over six wet markets, has been told by the Housing Board that it cannot convert them into supermarkets.
The wet markets will have to stay because they do not meet the criteria for conversion into supermarkets, the HDB said on Friday.
Applications for such instances of conversion of use are assessed on a case-by- case basis, depending on the needs of residents, stall occupancy rate, operating hours and number of customers.
But while the HDB's announcement should please residents who are loath to give up shopping in their neighbourhood wet markets, there is still a question mark over the stallholders' livelihood.
This is because when Sheng Siong formally takes over ownership of the markets, it will have the power to decide whom to rent to, and at what price.
The six wet markets are in Choa Chu Kang Street 62, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 1, Serangoon Avenue 3, Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Block 623 Elias Road and Fajar Road.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times
[email protected]