In Pictures: Last day of Sungei Road Market marks end of an era

Updated
Jul 11, 2017, 01:36 PM
Published
Jul 11, 2017, 10:45 AM
Sunday (July 9) was the last day of operations for vendors at the Sungei Road flea market - and visitors young and old were out in force to bid a final goodbye to an icon of Singapore.
PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
Nineteen-year-old Tay Ming Yi, who is waiting to enter university, was among the crowd at the Singei Road Thieves Market on its last day of operation. Ms Tan, who is into photography, was searching for cheap equipment for her hobby. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
The Sungei Road flea market, which began in the 1930s, is making way for future residential and commercial developments.

 PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
A police report by Woon Tien Wei nestling among the bargains at the flea market was part of the Guerilla Art Hunt organised by Post Museum. Members of the public were invited to spot them as they browsed the wares. Guerilla Art Hunt was an artistic gesture registering disappointment over the authorities’ decision to close the iconic Sungei Road market. PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
"Plastic Bottles" (centre, two white bottles in upright position) by Cynthia Delaney Suwito was part of the Guerilla Art Hunt. Members of the public were invited to spot them and post their discoveries on Instagram under the hashtag #GuerillaArtHuntSungeiRoadMarket.

 PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
An official notice serves as a stark reminder of the market's demise. The last weekend of the thieves' market saw visitors scrambling to take their own final snapshots of what had become a Singapore institution. PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
What's on the horizon for this woman and her fellow vendors at the flea market? A petition seeking an alternative location for the historic market was submitted to Parliament a week before Singapore's last free hawking zone was to close for good. The petition, presented by Nominated MP Kok Heng Leun on behalf of individuals such as the market's association chairman Koh Eng Khoon, was signed by 792 people. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Last day and last chance to pick up bargains at the Sungei Road market. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Oh aye, I think I'm eyeing a bargain, this shopper is probably thinking. It may have been the last day of operation at Sungei Road for vendors but some of them could be re-locating to Golden Mile Tower if the market’s association manages to secure the necessary permits from the authorities.

 ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Fans big and small but very likely bargains all at this stall. The Government has offered affected vendors lock-up hawker stalls at centres such as Chinatown Market, North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre, and Upper Cross Street Market. Other vendors are being supported by Workforce Singapore in their search for other jobs, while some have been granted ComCare assistance. PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
Despite the blistering heat on Sunday, a large crowd trooped down to the last free hawking zone in Singapore to be part of history as it packed up for good. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Woon Tien Wei's police report (bottom right) was part of the Guerilla Art Hunt organised by Post Museum. Works in the project were spread across the stalls, with the public invited to spot them as they shopped. The works were by Akai Chew, Chen ZiWei, Cynthia Suwito, Dyn Hamid, Faiz Bin Zohri, Jeremy Chu, Jeremy Hiah, Marla Bendini, Rocky Chan Lok Ken, Seelan Palay, Tan Wenli, Woon Tien Wei, Yen Phang, Zulkhairi Zulkiflee.
 PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
Heavy machinery waiting to move in as the flea market conducted its day of hawking and bargaining. PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
"The First but Forgotten" (centre, on the bowl) by Chen Ziwei, one of the works in the Guerilla Art Hunt. PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
Well done - as shopper and vendor seal a deal. Vendors who have called the 80-year-old market home for decades were sad to see it go as they peddled their wares on the last weekend of the market's existence. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
The Sungei Road Thieves Market on its last day - with the diggers hovering. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
What is that - and can I lug it back home? It was a lively scene as the crowds flocked to the flea market hoping to scoop up a bargain or two. PHOTO: MARCUS TAN FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES
Suitcases and more on sale as the market packs its bags for good. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Dusk, and it's time to pack up for the last time. Hope, however, is on the horizon for the Sungei Road vendors as the market's association has secured another site - the sixth floor of Golden Mile Tower’s carpark. According to association chairman Koh Eng Khoon, about 100 of 200 vendors have expressed an interest in moving there. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
Remains of a day's trading - and the end of an era. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Out go the vendors and up go the barricades as the site is cordoned off to await development. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Various entrances being blocked or cordoned off as the sun sets on the Sungei Road Thieves Market. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Lightning striking as a crowd gathers to hear the Save Sungei Road Market Group and the market's association give a statement at the end of its day of trade. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

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