Roughly 400 vendors protested yesterday over plans to redevelop Phnom Penh’s Kandal Market.

Market director Chab Dyna on May 12 revealed that City Hall intended to upgrade the structure because it was getting old and was impinging on public streets in the middle of the city.

However, vendor Hor Sihoun yesterday expressed concern over the lack of detail in the proposal.

“We know the market is old but we need a place for selling every day,” she said, adding that a development project could last years and there was no mention by authorities of a temporary space to do business in the meantime.

“[Vendors also] worry about the development because they are afraid that the new stalls will be smaller.”

Stall owner Srey Sroch said that the development could force those who set up shop on the footpaths out of the market entirely.

However, she allowed, she wanted “development because it will beautify [the market], and sales prices will increase”. Dyna, the director, said yesterday the plan was tentative and the authorities would consult vendors.

“If all the vendors don’t agree, no one will force on them all the development,” he said.

In 2009 plans to upgrade the market were scrapped following a protest.