Bright new Wan Chai Market opens to applause from vendors and shoppers

Vendors and shoppers gave a thumbs-up to the spacious and air conditioned new Wan Chai Market, which was packed on its opening day yesterday.

Gone is the hot, dim environment of the 71-year-old 'streamlined Moderne-style' market in Queen's Road East, which closed on Sunday and will become part of a luxury residential complex. The new wet market, below the Zenith residential complex, teemed with regulars looking for their favourite vendors.

'[The new market] is better than the old one. The location is more convenient and it seems more spacious,' said Raymond Au Yeung, 62, who shops at Wan Chai Market daily.

Situated near Cross Street, Stone Nullah Lane and Wan Chai Road, where many shops sell fresh meat, seafood and vegetables, the new market attracted those who used to give the old one a miss.

A resident surnamed Chan, in his 40s, said: 'I usually shop around Cross Street, so I will come to the new market very often.'

Wong Cherk-shun, 70, also liked the new market. 'It is clean and bright. In the old market, many vendors put their goods outside their stalls and partly blocked the passages.'