Night shopping to blossom as Flower Market spruced up for the holidays

Stacy Shi and Charlotte Lam

The Urban Renewal Authority has developed measures to bolster the Flower Market's night economy, including the use of e-vouchers, under its redevelopment plans for the Prince Edward market.

Among them is a Christmas festival celebration till January 5, which began last Friday.

Alongside a large-scale carousel-themed Christmas installation at the junction of Sai Yee Street and Flower Market Road, sections of the former are lit with Christmas lighting from 4.30pm to 9pm daily, extending to 10pm over the holidays to create a festive evening atmosphere.

URA will also host Christmas floral workshops this weekend, letting participants create Christmas decors with floral elements that in turn will be delivered to residential care homes and distributed among the elderly.

URA is currently considering launching online games on its social media page before Valentine's Day and introducing electronic shopping coupons.

Online game winners will be given coupons to buy bouquets from participating merchants.

"We anticipate that different forms of [online and offline] activities can attract visitors and encourage purchases at the Flower Market," said URA managing director Wai Chi-sing.

He said URA plans to cooperate with merchants in other redevelopment and conservation projects in Yau Tsim Mong District and to launch a consumption reward program with participating merchants where residents can redeem cash vouchers for the Flower Market.

"This will give merchants the opportunity to reach out to new customers and expand their customer base," Wai said.

He added more collaboration with tenants and the government to beautify Flower Market Road are set for 2025 "to link florists with the community to create a more personalized and attractive flower market, which will drive more visitors."

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com