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BATU KAWAN – After suffering setbacks from the lockdown, Malaysia’s biggest outlet mall and the only outlet concept in the northern region, Design Village outlet, invested RM100,000 to purchase container art.
It recently launched the Container Art Food Truck Gathering event that runs until tomorrow, with hopes to garner interest from domestic travellers.
According to the chief operating officer (COO) of PE Land (Penang) Sdn Bhd, Andy Song, the relocation of five container art conceptualised by Penang Global Tourism and Can Can Public Art Team in 2020 to Design Village grounds is a statement of their commitment towards preserving arts, culture and tourism in Penang.
The container art features a larger-than-life portrait of a local trishaw rider created by artists Sasha Korban and Bibichun. The container art was previously located on Lebuh Tek Soon in George Town.
“In conjunction with the event and our fifth anniversary, we brought in trishaw operators so shoppers have the opportunity to experience real trishaw rides to shuttle them on a pre-determined route in the mall with minimal ticket purchase from our customer service centre.
“We would like to thank PGT for their active support and collaboration in sponsoring this event with 30 food trucks to add to the festivity from 5pm to 10pm during the festival,” he said in his speech yesterday.
Food trucks will be scattered around the mall to avoid overcrowding and are placed at the northeast, south, west and east entrance of the mall.
He also announced that after 18 months of economic uncertainty and various movement control orders (MCO) that almost crippled their operation, they welcomed over 200,000 shoppers last month when the interstate travel ban was lifted. It is a far cry from the 50 to 100 shoppers they had when Covid-19 infections were at their peak in August.
Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy Yeoh Soon Hin, who officiated the launch, said that businesses are closer to seeing the end of the tunnel with the revival of interstate travel and events such as this will breathe new life into Batu Kawan.
He hopes that relocating murals to the new industrial township will instil an artistic character to the place and soften the image of developments at Batu Kawan.
“A few activities will be executed in the future to create branding awareness by working with nearby partners such as Ikea, Design Village, ASEPN and Perbadanan Stadium.
“Similar to George Town Festival (GTF), Batu Kawan can have an annual festival by incorporating entertainment and the arts, pushing the brand to the international field,” Yeoh said.
Black Friday sales offering up to 80% discounts and year-end holiday and shopping promotions are also running simultaneously with the Container Art Food Truck Gathering event.
Those who are not in Penang can also shop online on their newly launched website at www.designvillagepenang.com. – The Vibes, November 27, 2021
