BESIDES more space and better ventilation, the newly upgraded Lintang Macallum 2 market and food complex in George Town, Penang, now also has better lighting.
With a wall taken down and four stalls relocated to the inner part of the complex, a larger open space has been created.
This has made a world of a difference and added much needed lighting to the roadside market complex.
“The market used to be congested and closed off with only a side entrance but last year, upgrades were carried out,” said Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng.
“It is spacious now and we want it to be a market that the local community frequents,” he said, adding that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had installed four industrial fans.
“Prior to this, the market did not have any fans. So, it is a welcome change.
“We have requested for more fans as it is still quite hot,” he said when met at the complex.
Wong said the market needed to be maintained and house diverse businesses.
“Currently, there are 19 food and drink stalls, and 28 market stalls,” he said.
“We are hoping the city council will allow businesses like a barber shop or nail salon to open here as well.
“We believe a variety of stalls and shops will suit this space.”
MBPP councillor Tan Soo Siang, who was at the market as well, said the upgrading works cost the city council around RM19,000 while the new fans cost less than RM2,000.
“The fans were not in our budget this year but we managed to instal four,” she said.
“Next year, we will look into installing more fans as the traders have said it is still hot.”
She also promised that the city council would look into diversifying businesses at the complex.
“While this place is not suitable for a salon based on its structure, we understand that there is a demand for such services,” she said.
As there are three food stalls and 11 market stalls vacant, Tan said interviews for prospective tenants would open this month.
“Rental is around RM100 to RM200,” she shared.
Later, Wong and his team distributed calendars for next year.
“We have printed 10,000 copies and people are welcome to come over to my service centre to get a copy,” he said.