The Taipa Market, the only municipal market on the island, has undergone several extensions, renovation projects of old wings and beautification works, culminating in its completion last year – but with the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) announcing the launch of a revitalisation project on Friday, the market will once again undergo a major construction project, expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year, with the addition of “gastronomy + cultural and creative” attractions.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the bureau’s headquarters on Friday, according to which the revitalisation plan will reorganise the layout of market stalls and improve the façade of the buildings, involving the installation of a large signboard and screen and the incorporation of Chinese-Portuguese attractions while retaining the existing design styles and features. As planned by the bureau, the project will commence next month and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year, with a view to putting up the available market stalls for open tender and the commencement of a trial operation in the fourth quarter of this year.
The bureau noted that the Taipa Market currently has 66 stalls, with about half of them operating and the other half being vacant. The bureau expects that after expanding the size of some stalls and adding four dining areas on the first floor, the total number of stalls will be reduced to 52. Light food and cultural creative stalls will be set up on the first floor for open bidding, while a café and cafeteria will be located on the rooftop, with fresh food and vegetable stalls forming a cluster on the ground floor.
The bureau underlined that existing stall lessees will be allowed to continue operating, but those currently on the first floor will need to be relocated to the ground floor.
According to the bureau, a total of 20 stalls will be made available for bidding in three groups based on their areas and sizes. The evaluation committee will assess bidders according to criteria such as their business strategies, experience and qualifications, daily operating hours, types of goods offered, and available payment methods. The contract period will be three years.
Upon completion of the revitalisation project, the Taipa Market will become the first market in Macau featuring cultural and creative attractions. The bureau said that the setting-up of cultural creative stalls aims to address concerns within the sector, as many face difficulties affording shop rents irrespective of their creativity. It pointed out that setting up related stalls in the market presents an opportunity for Macau, aligning with its status as a tourist city. The bureau also said it expects that, while making good use of public resources, it will also create a platform for those interested in joining the cultural, creative, or specialty food industries, providing a friendly environment for young people and entrepreneurs, while jointly promoting the transformation of traditional markets.
The bureau said that the plan was initiated following discussions with the IAM Consultative Committee, the government-appointed Taipa and Coloane Community Service Consultative Council and the affected stallholders, all of whom provided positive feedback on the project. It added that further coordination would take place with them as the implementation progresses.
The Taipa Market, located at the junction between Rua do Regedor and Rua do Cunha, opened in 1982. In August 2018 and again in mid-May last year, expansion works were carried out to add air-conditioning and several barrier-free facilities. Additionally, beautification projects were carried out in Largo dos Bombeiros (“Firemen’s Square”), which is situated outside the market.
The artist’s rendition provided by the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) on Friday shows the “revitalised” Taipa Market.
