ERNEST KAOernest.kao@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Monday, 03 August, 2015, 5:38am
UPDATED : Monday, 03 August, 2015, 5:38am
A wide variety of goods was on offer at the market. Photo: David Wong
District councillors are hoping that a trial flea market operating at the junction of Sham Shui Po's Kiu Kang and Hai Tan streets can continue and become a permanent model for controlled hawking in the future.
Every Sunday to August 30, Sham Shui Po residents will be able to shop and sell their low-cost, often used wares and daily necessities at the city's first grass-roots bazaar organised "bottom up" by the district's residents.
Old tennis rackets, extension cords and antique video game consoles sat beside half-empty tubes of hand cream, DVDs and second-hand crockery at about 30 stalls sprawled out on mats on the ground of the pedestrian walkway yesterday afternoon under the blazing sun.
Spearheaded by the Concern Group for Sham Shui Po Day Time Market, the Concerning CSSA and Low Income Alliance and the Sham Shui Po District Council, the market will run every Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
Vendors do not have hawker licences but will be allowed to sell dry goods without interference from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
"I hope the concept will be accepted by residents," said Dr Wong Chung-leung, chairman of the council's working group on poverty problems and ethnic minorities.
"The concept is about making a good communal use of space in society. Additionally, if the market can operate well, residents can buy the goods they want and vendors can do business - everyone wins."
Leung said the next few Sundays would be important in helping the council iron out problems and gather views before the September recess and leave behind a feasible model for the next council after November's elections.
Sham Shui Po resident Tsui Hau-fung was there touting her wares yesterday - old cups, toys, clothes, biscuits, oriental vases and a variety of other goods. Her most prized item was a HK$50 Chinese tea mug, which she would be willing to sell for HK$20.
"Everything has been arranged quite well. I can make a bit of money on the side," said Tsui, who works passing out flyers six days a week. "I still hope the government will continue issuing hawker licences."
Violet Chan Chau-ping was hoping to sell her home-made vegetable oil soaps. "As a mother with three kids, it would hard for me to run a full-time store."
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1845945/sham-shui-po-residents-hope-hong-kongs-grass-roots-flea-market
