HKFP Lens: Final days of historic Hong Kong fabric market in Sham Shui Po

After more than 40 years, the narrow, fabric-lined lanes of Yen Chow Street Hawker Bazaar in Sham Shui Po are soon to be a thing of the past. Established in 1978 and commonly known as Pang Jai, the covered-market faces demolition and will close on January 31.

Around 50 stallholders will be affected by the closure, with about 16 choosing to relocate to the Tung Chau Street Temporary Market. According to The Standard, fabric sellers were offered up to HK$35,000 to relocate or HK$100,000 in ex-gratia payments to return the stalls to the government, amounts considered too low by the Pang Jai concern group.

Fabric seller Uncle Tung, 90, at Yen Chow Street Hawker Bazaar in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on December 29, 2022. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Uncle Tung, 90, told HKFP he had been working at the fabric market for more than 40 years. He said that he would retire when Pang Jai closed down.

“All fabric has a use. However, the market will be demolished and all my fabric will be sent to landfill as I cannot keep it anymore. It is kind of a waste,” Tung said.

Fabric sellers Mr and Mrs Ho at Yen Chow Street Hawker Bazaar in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, on December 29, 2022. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Mr and Mrs Ho have chosen to relocate their stall to Tung Chau Street Temporary Market. “I am very passionate about this industry,” Mr Ho said.

Tammy, whose father is a fabric seller, grew up at Pang Jai. She recalled doing her homework there when she was just eight years old. “We played hide and seek here and no one could find me,” Tammy told HKFP.