Effect of Closures of Small F&B Shops on Neighbourhood Vibrancy, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience

The following question stood in the name of Ms Mariam Jaafar –

21 To ask the Minister for National Development in light of recent closures of small retail and food and beverage (F&B) shops in the heartlands (a) whether the Government has assessed how these closures affect neighbourhood vibrancy, social cohesion, and long-term community resilience; and (b) what concrete measures are being taken to sustain local commercial diversity.

Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang West): Question No 21.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Ms Sun Xueling) (for the Minister for National Development): Vacancy rates for Housing and Development Board (HDB) rental shops have remained low and stable over the past five years. Some amount of churn is healthy, as it allows less competitive businesses to exit and new businesses to enter, which provide products and services that can better meet the needs of residents.

HDB uses trade mix controls for HDB rental shops to ensure a good variety of shops to serve residents. When there are vacancies, HDB will assess the trade designation and tender them out as soon as possible.