Boost In Income For Stall Holders At New Seria Gerai Complex
By Liza Mohd

Seria - Stall operators in Seria thanked the government for relocating them to a new building in Jalan Bunga Kemantin, which result in better daily earnings for their businesses.

"It is definitely cleaner and spacious compared to the previous location. More customers are coming in to the open air food complex," said Ah Lik, who has been operating a stall selling rojak in the previous gerai for over a decade.

Dayang Rogayah binte Abu Bakar, a Soto Corner stall owner at the new gerai, which is now known as `Sri Selera Seria' Comolex, said the spacious area, which could accommodate up to 700 people means more customers and growing income for stallholders unlike the compact and gloomy surroundings at the old gerai.

She said furthermore the rental is cheap at an affordable payment of $250 monthly.

The cheery, open-air atmosphere also enables stallholders to operate until late at night, she added.

Fifteen stallholders from the old gerai were moved to the new building and the remaining stalls have been tendered to the general public to create business opportunities for small and medium business entrepreneurs.

In his speech during the official opening of the new complex yesterday morning, the Chairman of KB and Seria Municipal Department said the B$2 million project was initially under the 71st National Development Plan on the site of Jalan Raja Puteri and Jalan Bunga Kuning.

However, the site was moved to another suitable location where the Seria old wet market used to stand but it was demolished at the end of 2001.

The new complex then came under the 8th National Development Plan and the project was tendered to Raiyan Omar Sdn Bhd in January last year. The completed complex was then officially handed over to the KB and Seria Municipal Department on August 5 this year and the business began operating on September 1.

The building has 31 kitchen spaces with space area of 19.44 square metres and. equipped with general equipment such as stainless steel sink and exhaust fan for ventilation purposes.

The building can accommodate up to 700 people with 31 booths for food stall operators. Other facilities include prayer rooms, public toilets, stores, public phones and garbage disposal area.

Meanwhile, the old Gerai Seria will be demolished for further development projects of the department in Seria town. The chairman reminded stallholders to utilise the facilities provided with good care.

He added that stallholders should constantly obey the provided instructions and rules enforced from time to time.

He emphasised the importance of practising cleanliness during food and drink preparations as well as showing courtesy and friendly service to customers.

He hoped that the travel agencies in the Belait District will introduce the building as a tourist spot and reminded business owners not to delay rental payments as failing to do so could result in the cancellation of business licence.

The site of the new Gerai is said to be at a strategic location as it is close to the Seria public transportation, Seria Plaza and is surrounded by shops.

At the new Gerai, chairs and tables are provided and customers are free to sit anywhere at the open-air food court by ordering food at their choice of stalls.

Stall operators serving Malay and Chinese dishes will be separated for customers' convenience.

The building of Gerai Makan Baru Seria marks another development in Seria and opens opportunities for small and medium entrepreneurs to conduct eatery businesses in Seria with extremely affordable monthly rental fees. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with