Can Hong Kong revive fading bazaars to bring local flavour to nightlife? Industry chiefs turn to famous markets of Bangkok, Taipei for inspiration
If the city wants a new crowd magnet, it’s got to be first class, nightlife tycoon Allan Zeman saysNo lack of suggestions in response to Financial Secretary Paul Chan’s plan for more night bazaarsHong Kong economyCannix YauPublished: 9:00am, 29 Aug, 2023Why you can trust SCMP
It was just after 10pm on a weekday at Hong Kong’s well-known Temple Street Night Market, and clothes vendor Leung Siu-chun sighed as she counted her takings from selling qipao and tang suits at about HK$100 (US$13) apiece.
“I [made] slightly more than HK$200 … today. Tourists come to browse and bargain but they don’t loosen their purse strings,” the 76-year-old said.
The street seemed lifeless and quiet, with many other stallholders gone for the day.
“I’ve been running this stall for more than 40 years and business has never been this bad. On the worst days, I don’t even earn a cent,” Leung said.
In better times, Temple Street presented a mix of old and new and drew visitors who swarmed its numerous stalls selling clothes, souvenirs, jade, antiques, mobile phones and watches.