A new lease of life will be given to the markets and hawker centres at Blk 160 and 162 in Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 and Blk 17 at Upper Boon Keng Road.

Both have been closed since April 1 so that renovation could be carried till the end of the year.

The Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 centre will more ramps and common areas to make it friendly to the elderly and handicapped.

The layout of stalls will be redesigned while seating capacity will be increased. To improve overall ventilation in the centre, the cooked food stalls will be equipped with new mechanical exhaust systems.

The upgrading of the market and hawker centre at Blk 17 of Upper Boon Keng Road will see the introduction of a new design which includes a lively play of vibrant colours and textures throughout the infrastructure.

In addition, there will be a feature which allows for more natural lighting, and this will enhance the vibrant interior of the market and hawker centre. Alfresco dining areas will also be introduced to provide patrons with increased refreshment area and an alternative dining venue within the centre.

The upgrading programme will provide an opportunity for the electrical, plumbing and sanitary systems of both centres to be improved.

Patrons of both centres can look forward to a better environment when they re-open for business in the first quarter of 2009. During the upgrading period, most stallholders from the two hawker centres have chosen to take a break. Less than 10 per cent of the 257 resuming stallholders* are currently operating at alternative stalls provided by the National Envionment Agency at other hawker centres.

The agency manages 112 markets/food centres. To date, 62 markets/food centres have been upgraded. Two centres currently undergoing upgrading are located at Blk 335 of Smith Street and Geylang Serai Market.