Business at Tekka slumps as liquor curbs kick in
Auxillary police officers patrolling at Tekka Food Centre on Aug 7, 2016. Photo: Robin Choo/TODAY
SINGAPORE — At about 6.15pm yesterday, rows of tables lining a stretch of Tekka Food Centre sat largely empty, with nine of the 45-odd tables occupied — a departure from the typical hive of activity on Sunday evenings.
It was the first Sunday with the new cut-off time of 6pm, instead of 11.59pm previously, for alcohol sale and consumption at the food centre.
Although stallholders were upset about the latest liquor restriction, diners TODAY spoke to were unanimous in welcoming the change, saying that it made it safer for patrons.
Mdm Maureen Ho, 44, owner of Little India Beer Stall, said she had ordered about half the amount of beer in anticipation of a smaller crowd, and her earnings were reduced by about half.
She plans to wait “two to three months” before assessing how significant the impact has been. She called on the authorities to allow the drink stalls to sell alcohol until between 9pm and 10pm.
At KS5 drinks stall, earnings also tumbled by half, said its owner, who wanted to be known only as Mdm Ho, 52. Food stalls also took a hit. Mr Gong, 53, who helps out at his wife’s stall, Tian Ming Sliced Fish Soup Noodle, which also sells chicken wings, said the stall was usually at its busiest between 6pm and 9pm, and business was worse yesterday.
“The economy is very bad. And with this (6pm) cut-off, I’ll have a harder time,” he said.
Nevertheless, Westmangan owner Sahilah Hamid, 44, said the new restriction was a good move because of the many drunken fights in the centre, some taking place as early as 4pm to 5pm: “When there are fights, we have to stay in the shop.”
Patrons noted that the crowds were noticeably thinner, and it was easier to find tables. Domestic helper Mary Grace, 42, who dines at Tekka once or twice a month, felt that it was safer than before, particularly for women.
“Usually I hear a lot of noise (here),” she said, referring to the crowds drinking beer.
The new rule arose from feedback on drinkers congregating at the centre on Sunday evenings. The police had said it consulted residents, grassroots organisations, business owners and other agencies before shortening Sunday’s liquor licensing hours to between 6am and 6pm.
A police spokesperson told TODAY that no arrests were made at the food centre last night.
Less than 30 minutes before the cut-off took effect yesterday, five Certis Cisco auxiliary police officers were seen patrolling the centre. At least four Singapore Police Force officers were also spotted handing out pamphlets in English and Tamil to drinkers, informing them of the shortened hours.
As early as 5.30pm, some drink stalls started packing up, and within minutes before the cut-off time, some patrons were still buying beer.
At 6pm on the dot, the stalls began turning away customers requesting beer. Those who were still drinking were asked to finish as quickly as possible, with Certis Cisco officers keeping watch to ensure they did.
Some customers who were unaware of the new rule, however, tried to buy beer later, and KS5’s Mdm Ho told them to “come a bit earlier” in future.
The drinkers who spoke to TODAY said they finished work at about 5pm and headed straight to Tekka.
Indian construction worker Raju Meyyanathan, 22, who works in Woodlands, said he would usually have two cans of beer and stay until about 9pm, but the limited time meant he managed only one.
At nearby Gholia’s Village on Chander Road, which TODAY visited at about 7.30pm, there was a snaking line at the drink stall, where beer was being sold. The area was swarming with patrons, with nary a table empty and beers on nearly every table.
Mr Yeo Eng Meng, 66, who collects dishes and returns trays, said that while the place was typically crowded on Sundays, it was “especially” so yesterday. “Usually Sundays (are) like that, but (today) it’s a bit more,” he said, attributing it to the 6pm cut-off at Tekka.
