Different stallholders - fishmongers, butchers, vegetable and fruit sellers and sundry shop owners - have different needs, thus, the optimal size of their stalls would also vary ("Stallholders say new market stalls too narrow"; Nov 1, and "Stallholders at Chong Boon Market can ease the squeeze"; Nov 2).

When it comes to the renovation of markets, good communication, coordination and planning between the National Environment Agency (NEA) and stallholders can result in a win-win situation, where stallholders are prepared for what is to come in the new markets.

In the case of Chong Boon Market, perhaps better communication and coordination between NEA and the stallholders might have prepared them for the new stall configurations.

Ronnie Lim Ah Bee