Front-Loaded Story (by Derek Khor)

Our idea was inspired by the barber story regarding the vanishing trades in Singapore. After brainstorming, we decided on the street cobbler as it fits the theme we wanted to work on. We felt that it is crucial to highlight this vanishing trade as many of our younger generations are unaware of such informal services. Street cobbling can be considered as a dirty and difficult job in which many are not keen to work as. Moreover, the income source varies daily.

Street cobbling is a fading trade due to the urbanization and availability of modern cobbling services throughout the island. Such modern cobbling has sophisticated equipment and provides more services such as shoe polishing which street cobblers do not provide. 

One of our group members is aware of this service at Teck Whye Lane and approached the cobbler for his permission before we headed down for the interview. The street cobbler, who wished to be identified as Mr Zhang, is 67 years old this year and has been in this trade for 23 years. The interview was carried out in Mandarin and he was not shy to share his experiences as well as his family background to us.