Siheung-si Designates Jeongwang-dong Hamsong and Baegot-dong Baegot Shopping Districts as First 'Alley-type Shopping Streets'

Registration as Onnuri Gift Certificate Affiliates and Traditional Market-Level Benefits
Mayor Lim Byung-taek: "We Will Continue Support for the Development of Alley Commercial Districts"

Hamsong Shopping Center in Jeongwang-dong and Baegot Shopping Center in Baegot-dong, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do, have been designated as the first 'Alley-type Shopping Districts' in the area.

Siheung City announced on the 1st that it designated two locations, Hamsong and Baegot shopping centers, as 'Alley-type Shopping Districts' under the 'Ordinance on Support for Alley-type Shopping Districts' to revitalize alley commercial districts and support small business owners.

An 'Alley-type Shopping District' can be designated through the review of the Siheung City Alley-type Shopping District Committee when a merchant organization, with the consent of more than half of the store merchants in the area, applies for a district within 2,000㎡ where at least 25 stores operated by small business owners exist, according to the 'Special Act on the Promotion of Traditional Markets and Shopping Districts' and the 'Siheung City Ordinance on Support for Alley-type Shopping Districts.'

Hamsong Shopping Center at 1882-2 Jeongwang-dong covers an area of 2,986㎡ with 38 stores, and Baegot Shopping Center at 122 Baegot-dong covers 5,814㎡ with 76 stores. Both shopping centers are facing difficulties such as decreased sales due to competition with nearby large marts and franchise stores, as well as the recent economic downturn.

With this designation, stores within the two shopping centers will be able to register as Onnuri gift certificate affiliated stores and receive benefits equivalent to traditional markets, such as management environment improvements and facility support through various public contests.

Im Byeong-taek, Mayor of Siheung City, said, "I hope this designation will help improve the quality of life for local residents and strengthen community bonds beyond economic effects," adding, "We will continue to spare no support for the development of alley commercial districts."