200 market vendors in Beijing face uncertainty

By Wang Wen (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-02 09:17

More than 200 vendors at the oldest flower and pet market in Beijing have been ordered to move out by Dec 20 ahead of a planned refurbishment.

An announcement posted on the wall of Guanyuan market said it would be closed on Dec 21 for renovation. However, it did not say when the market would be reopened and vendors do not know if they will be allowed back.

The blueprint of the renovation plan has been kept secret from vendors, the Beijing Youth Daily reported.

Chen Zongli, who has sold fish at the market for almost six years, said he was told that the market would be turned into a cultural street.

Other vendors said they are worried the grassroots culture of the market would disappear after the renovation.

"The signature of Beijing will be torn up," said Shou Zhenhua, a shopkeeper who has run a fish business for about 20 years.

Shou said if the market was demolished then Beijingers would not have a traditional market in such a convenient location.

Many shopkeepers agreed the market was old and in need of improvement.

Chen said he wanted to reopen his shop after the renovation was finished. He said the market has its own brand and popularity that other markets do not have.

"I want to come back after the improvement," said Chen.

About half of the vendors plan to move to Zizhuyuan or Shilihe markets, but others are still searching for a new location.

Sun Xiaoxian, a shopkeeper who has sold jade for 16 years, said it was difficult to find a similar market.

The rent costs 5 yuan per sq m per month, Sun said.

"There is no other place that is as popular and inexpensive, but we have to continue with our business," Sun said.

Guanyuan market was opened more than 10 years ago. It was initially an open-air market, containing flowers and pets.

In 1998, the market business was formalized and vendors opened shops. There are now about 200 shops in a space of more than 2,000 sq m.