Tin Sau Bazaar

Coordinates: 22°27′57″N 114°00′03″E / 22.4657°N 114.0007°E / 22.4657; 114.0007

Tin Sau Bazaar (Chinese: 天秀墟), initially called Tin Shui Wai Bazaar, is located opposite Tin Fu Court on Tin Sau Road in Tin Shui Wai, New Territories, Hong Kong. Occupying approximately 3,800 square metres, the bazaar is operated and managed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), a non-profit non-governmental organisation (NGO). Construction began in January 2013 and the bazaar officially commenced operations on 8 February 2013.

History

On 1 September 2012, the Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam announced that the Hong Kong government had agreed to allocate a piece of vacant 3,800-square-metre land for the purpose of setting up a flea market in Tin Shui Wai.^[1] The government would also provide funding of HK$10 million to support the establishment of a bazaar there.^[2] The bazaar would comprise around 200 stationary stalls.^[3] The government started a consultation procedure within the same month and expected the bazaar would service the public after half a year.^[4]

On 21 October 2012, the representatives of Tin Shui Wai Hawkers Concern Group expressed that the proposals delivered by the TWGHs failed to take care of the actual needs of the local community, hoping the government to set up a bazaar management committee in order to allow the participation of experienced hawkers. As for the TWGHs, the spokesperson replied that they would continue mutual communication by launching an estate-wide consultation.^[5]

On 1 November 2012, the government opened a nearly 1-month application for the license of operation. According to the relevant documents submitted by the Home Affairs Department, over 3,800 applicants applied, that is 24 applicants competing for one stall on average,^[6] meaning the competition for the license is significantly stiff. Selection procedures took place on 14 December, and the results of offerings would be announced in January, 2013.^[7][8]

On 5 January 2013, the Community Development Alliance of Tin Shui Wai, the Hong Kong Institute of Planners and other organizations launched a workshop discussing issues about internal stall design and managerial ways, followed by submitting reports to the TWGHs and the relevant government authorities.^[9]

On 1 February 2013, Tin Sau Bazaar began pilot operation^[10] and the official opening up of Tin Sau Bazaar took place on 8 February.^[11]

Objectives

As suggested by the government and the TWGHs, the expected outcomes of Tin Sau Bazaar include improving the quality of life of local residents by providing more alternative shopping options; revitalizing and rejuvenating local economy by creating more job opportunities; improving local noise and hygiene problems by stopping the morning hawking behaviors in Dawn Market in Tin Shui Wai; and ultimately helping local disadvantaged residents to become independent and self-sufficient.^[12]

Problems

Only a few people are there.

Since its opening, shopkeepers in Tin Sau Bazaar have reported that there is a lack of consumers. This makes them hard to earn a living or even suffer losses. Some vendors complained that the government did not give enough support to them. The arising problems of Tin Sau Bazaar include the following.

Location

Only a few shops are opened.

Tin Sau Bazaar is located on a plot of land on Tin Sau Road, near Tin Fu Court and Tin Yat Estate, that had lain unused for many years. Tin Sau Road is located in Tin Shui Wai North, very far away from the Tin Shui Wai town centre. The bazaar is mainly convenient to those living in Tin Yat Estate or Tin Fu Court. Citizens living in other public housing estates may find it difficult to find the bazaar and it is inconvenient for them to buy daily necessities. This may lower the accessibility of Tin Sau Bazaar and this is why not many people are attracted by the bazaar.^[13]

Transport

For people living in Tin Shui Wai, the public transports which can reach Tin Sau Bazaar are Light Rail and bus. No shuttle bus is provided. After getting off the bus or Light Rail, a 5-minute walk is required to arrive at Tin Sau Bazaar. Therefore, not many Tin Shui Wai residents are willing to go there and purchase items. For residents from other districts, West Rail is the fastest transport to get to Tin Shui Wai. After alighting from the West Rail, it is required to take 15-minute ride from Light Rail or bus to Tin Sau Bazaar. It is by no means very convenient for visitors.^[14]

Design

It is behind the housing.

The design of Tin Sau Bazaar has many problems, too. Firstly, the entrance of Tin Sau Bazaar is not facing the housing but behind instead. The nearby facilities are some basketball courts and parks. If residents want to enter the Bazaar, they have to walk for a very long way to find the entrance, which is extremely troublesome. Residents may find it exhausted and they would prefer to patronize local supermarkets or markets instead. Besides, for the other side of the bazaar, there is a long and tall wire netting encircling the whole area. That means everyone should enter the Bazaar only by that entrance. Secondly, the facilities there are far from enough. Tin Sau Bazaar has poor covering or ventilation and air-conditioning systems. When it rains, as a rational person, no one is willing to go there and purchase goods. When it is summertime, the high temperature and scorching sunshine make buyers feel uncomfortable and they may not stay there for a long time. The design of the bazaar is very inconvenient and that deters consumers from getting there.^[15]

Promotion and publicity

Difficult to see some banners.

The government is mostly responsible for the funding of setting up the stalls and construction procedures, rather than the promotional issues. In other words, the TWGHs is responsible for the publicity efforts and the related expenditure. There are not many promotional activities especially around the few months after the opening up of Tin Sau Bazaar. Another inadequacy is about the issue of banners. The banners are not only far from enough, but also they are difficult to be noticed.

Business strategies

The hawkers are largely low-skilled grassroots, and so most of them lack business acumen. Although some of their goods sold are generally a bit cheaper than those sold in local supermarkets, their products sold, which include clothing, footwear, foodstuffs and grocery items, lack distinguishable and distinctive features. This discourages local consumers and consumers outside Tin Shui Wai District from purchasing in the Bazaar as they find the items unattractive.^[16][17]

Transport

The market is roughly 250 metres from both the Tin Sau Stop and Tin Yat Stop of the Light Rail. These stops are a 12-minute ride from Tin Shui Wai Station of the West Rail Line.

See also

• Hawkers in Hong Kong
• Link REIT

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tin Sau Bazaar.

• Official website
• Tung Wah reports on Tin Sau Bazaar at the Legislative Council Meeting
• The opening of TWGHs Tin Sau Bazaar