Why Amoy Street Food Centre is Turning into a Ghost Town
Picture this: a bustling two‑storey hawker centre with the aroma of fresh noodles, sizzling satay, and the familiar buzz of office workers looking for a quick bite. That’s Amoy Street Food Centre—Singapore’s go‑to spot for counter‑service eats in the Central Business District. Yet, the buzz has gone a bit quieter.
The 15‑Stall Mystery
A recent 8world report pulled back the curtain on a surprising fact: a staggering fifteen stalls are currently empty. Dr. Zheng Xiangming, a 37‑year‑old drinks stall owner who’s been around the corner for years, spilled the beans.
- Before the pandemic, almost every stall was thriving.
- Now, those fifteen spots have been vacant for months.
- Even after Covid restrictions eased in April, foot traffic is only reaching about 80% of pre‑pandemic numbers.
Why the Crowd’s Going Home
With many office workers still “working from home,” the lunchtime rush has dwindled. Younger entrepreneurs chasing fresh ideas joined the hawker scene, but small rent spots can quick‑fire closure if the income isn’t there. One rice bowl stall owner told us that the high starting rent was a real dead‑end for first‑time hawkers, forcing them to quit after months of low earnings.
The Coffee Shop Connection
Some veterans from coffee shops have moved their businesses to the hawker centre. Here’s the twist:
- During the pandemic, the government’s heavy rent and services subsidies painted the hawker centre as a “safe haven.”
- Chef‑turned‑hawker owners were tempted to bid high, hoping for smooth sailing.
- But now rising coffee‑shop rents mean that these ex‑coffee shop vendors are still playing with high prices, unwilling to accept a loss.
Renovations Added Fuel to the Flames
Adding salt to the stew, the entire food centre was closed from October last year until January this year for a makeover. The National Environment Agency (NEA) covered all costs and promised no rent increase, yet the stalls are still empty. According to The Straits Times, the occupancy rate last month sat at an eye‑catching 90% of 135 stalls.
The Tenders and The Race
Let’s talk numbers:
- Most vacant stalls get refilled within three months after new tenders launch.
- In August, only three successful bids were made, ranging from $3,200 to $3,633.
- The highest ever bid was $4,988 back in 2018.
- The second highest happened just this February at $4,688.
NEA says most of the vacant stalls are undergoing refurbishment to restore their original setup. But the grand question remains: Will the food centre ever become the bustling hotspot it once was?
What This Means for Your Lunch Choices
So, if you’re a fan of affordable hawker food near the office, keep a lookout for the next round of tenders. Snagging a stall might finally bring enough business to keep things going— and for you, that tasty, budget‑friendly meal will be back on the menu.
