The iconic Gurney Drive food court will be moved to a new modern hawker centre at Gurney Bay in the first quarter of next year.
Penang local government committee chairman Jason H’ng Mooi Lye said the facility at Malaysia’s largest seafront city park would house 127 food stalls, seven beverage stalls, 17 retail units and 43 mobile kiosks.
He said priority for the new premises would be given to the 93 traders from Anjung Gurney (Gurney Drive) and 12 temporarily licensed hawkers operating around the food court.
He added that the centre was designed to provide a more organised and comfortable environment for hawkers, in line with Gurney Bay’s role as a recreational and tourist destination.
“The hawker centre is under construction, with works currently at 4.16% completion.
“The number of tables and chairs has yet to be finalised as it depends on the final interior layout.
“Rental rates will be determined after factoring in operating and maintenance costs to ensure sustainable long-term management,” he said, adding that rentals for council-run food court lots currently range from RM8 to RM800 a month, depending on size, facilities and location.
H’ng was responding to a question from Joshua Woo (PH–Pulau Tikus) at the state assembly sitting yesterday.
Once regarded as Penang’s most famous food destination, Gurney Drive was known for its hawker stalls lining the promenade before they were relocated to the current open-air food court.
H’ng said the Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) would continue overseeing Gurney Bay, while an operator would be appointed to manage the hawker centre.
On another matter, H’ng said Penang would start enforcing community service orders for littering and similar minor offences effective July 1.
He said the service orders would be carried out in stages and in a coordinated manner to ensure effectiveness and smooth execution across all local authority jurisdictions.
He said the initiative, which involves local authorities, aims to strengthen enforcement through an alternative sentencing mechanism that is both educative and corrective.
