Relaxed rules a step in the right direction, say nightlife businesses

Venues in precincts outside Boat Quay and Clarke Quay hope pilot can be extended

- Anjali Raguraman

Loosened rules for nightlife businesses in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay will give outlets in the area a fighting chance to thrive and opportunities to explore new concepts, industry players said a day after the authorities announced a year-long pilot programme to revitalise the historic district.

Businesses said they welcomed the lighter regulations that will take effect on Aug 18, which will see liquor trading hours extended to 4am and allow licences for new nightlife establishments in the area to be issued for the first time in 16 years. Circular Road will also become a car-free zone again on the weekends.

But nightlife businesses in other precincts like Duxton and Tanjong Pagar are hoping that they, too, will get extended liquor trading hours—and sooner, rather than later.

OUE Restaurants chief operating officer Andrew Ing said allowing licences for new nightlife concepts will help inject some much-needed vibrancy into districts around Singapore.

"Local demand has dropped drastically, and we need footfall from tourists who are going to make up for the shortfall... but tourists aren't going to come here if there isn't any vibrancy," said the nightlife veteran of over four decades.

Among those hopeful that the return of pedestrianisation will bring such a vibrancy back to Boat Quay and Clarke Quay is Ms Jenna White, who is group executive chef for Tadcaster Hospitality.

The group runs venues like Irish pub Molly Malone's, a grandee on Circular Road, one of the main business arteries in the precinct.