Taste Orchard sub-tenants fret over compensation, eviction deadline

Businesses angered by apparent lack of communication and flip-flopping

- Benjamin Lim Correspondent

Empty spaces and shelves at Taste Orchard on Dec 11 after the mall's master tenant Hao Mart ceased operations. Since then, the sub-tenants have been seeking compensation from Hao Mart for their renovation costs and loss of business, but the latter has yet to give a firm response.

(ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG)

As the official move-out deadline looms for the evicted subtenants of Taste Orchard shopping mall, many are increasingly worried that they will not receive compensation from supermarket chain Hao Mart for the early termination of their leases.

The subtenants, most of whom are small business owners, told The Straits Times that they are also confused about the deadline to vacate the premises. An earlier notification that the initial Dec 31 date will be extended to March 31, 2026, has become uncertain, they said.

Hao Mart was the mall’s master tenant before its lease was terminated on Sept 12, catching the some 30 subtenants off guard. They range from hair salons to aesthetic clinics and tuition centres.

Since then, the subtenants have been seeking compensation from Hao Mart for their renovation costs and loss of business, but ST understands that the latter has yet to give a firm response. One subtenant showed ST an email which indicated that Hao Mart’s lawyers had not received instruction on compensation, “the liability of which is not admitted”.

“This should not be construed as an instruction by our client not to engage subtenants on compensation or mediation,” the email said.

A request by subtenants to seek a resolution through mediation in November was also opposed by Hao Mart’s lawyers, according to emails reviewed by ST.

ST understands that at least five subtenants had applied to the Singapore Mediation Centre.