Memory Lane Reopens on Sunday, 19th July

Good news to hunters of vintage wares and collectors of old items: Memory Lane reopens tomorrow, 19th July! This popular Sunday flea market in Ipoh has been closed since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was enacted by the National Security Council (NSC) on 18th March, 2020. Wow, that is four months of closure.

This announcement by Ipoh City Mayor Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin yesterday brought much joy to the traders at Memory Lane.

However, due to strict Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for health and safety, only Jalan Horley will be open for the traders, while Jalan Lim Bo Seng will remain closed.

Also, for the first trading day tomorrow, only licensed traders holding odd number licences are allowed to resume their businesses, while those holding even number licences will only start the following Sunday. This means that the traders work on alternate Sundays. This rotation is ongoing until further notice.

There will be sixty stall operators every Sunday, who will observe physical distancing of minimum one metre. This number pales in comparison to the 300 stalls that traded at Memory Lane every Sunday pre-MCO.

These stalls trade in various items, including collectors’ paraphernalia, secondhand goods, toys, accessories, clothing and electrical appliances. Food items are disallowed.

Dato’ Rumaizi said, “The reopening of Memory Lane aims at assisting traders to return to normality, as well as to boost the tourism sector and economy in the city.”

So, Ipohites, the wait is over (well, almost). It’s time for bargain hunting tomorrow!