Constant Bazaar Or Inconstant Bazaar?
Tang Cheuk Ling (鄧卓寧) and Chu Mei Fuk (朱美福) arrived at a jade workshop to prepare for products to be sold at the bazaar next week. They work with each other, complement each other's strength and weaknesses, and share similar ideas. Tang set up a stall in the bazaar because the rent is cheap. He enjoys sharing experiences about jade with his neighbours and other stall owners, and this has enriched his retired life. | The officer of the “Grass Root Bazaar” Ng Ching Yan (伍靜茵) feels that bazaars can help low-income families increase their income, and also build up the residents' sense of belonging towards the community. At the end of 2016, the Legislative Council set up a subcommittee to deal with issues relating to bazaars. The subcommittee formulated guidelines on how to apply for resources at bazaars. Ng thinks that the effects of the guideline are limited and has not simplified the application procedure for bazaars. | Near to Lunar New Year, a group applied for setting up a bazaar in Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan. Ivy Cheung (張婉貞) took the chance to set up her stall there. All the products are created by her, each with their unique features… Scholar Dr. Leung Chi Yuen (梁志遠) criticizes the government's policy as the result of a piecemeal approach. Bazaars are under the management of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department but the government has a negative mindset. The focus is on banning… Bazaars help bring Ivy considerable income, and also help her overcome the difficulties in life. | With the help from social workers, she founded a cooperative with several like-minded friends. From that moment, she started selling products in a bazaar. After the Lunar New Year, she received an invitation from a student organization. She can set up a stall and hold a fabric workshop at the same time. | Leung states that the government can follow the practice in other Asian regions. Developing policies for night markets based on the idea of bazaars (that is, to boost the community economy) can fulfill the needs of the city… Various groups have been advocating this for years. Is it feasible to set up permanent bazaars in Hong Kong?
鄧卓寧和朱美福來到玉石工場,準備下星期在墟市擺賣的貨品。他們彼此合作,互補長短,理念一致。鄧卓寧在墟市擺小攤子,租金十分便宜。他十分享受與街坊、檔主交流玉石心得,這豐富了他退休後的生活。撐基層墟市聯盟幹事伍靜茵認為,墟市可以協助低收入家庭幫補家計,也可建立居民的社區歸屬感。2016年底,立法會成立墟市事宜小組委員會。小組委員會制訂《墟市申請資源指南》。伍靜茵又認為,指南的作用有限,未能簡化申辦墟市的程序。臨近農曆新年,有團體在上環永樂街申辦墟市,張婉貞(Ivy)把握機會來擺小攤子。所有產品都是她親手製作,各具特色……。學者梁志遠批評政府的政策沒有配套,墟市置於食環署轄下,政府的思路十分負面,以取締為主……。墟市除了為Ivy帶來可觀的收入,也幫助她度過人生的逆境。在社工協助下,她與幾個志同道合的朋友成立合作社,自此開展了在墟市擺賣的日子。新年過後,她收到學生組織的邀請,既擺小攤子,又舉辦布藝工作坊。梁志遠指出,政府可以參考亞洲其他地區的做法,把源自墟市的概念(即是推動社區經濟),繼而配合城市的需要,發展出夜市政策……。坊間團體爭取多年,究竟恆常化的墟市在香港又是否可行呢?