SINGAPORE — The Singapore Nightlife Business Association has called for a dialogue with the authorities to address concerns among nightclubs and bar operators in Orchard Tower over the sudden move not to renew their licences.
Mr Nasen Thiagarajan, president of the Singapore Nightlife Business Association, said that he reached out to the Ministry of Trade and Industry last week to try to set up a meeting with the relevant authorities and is waiting for the ministry’s response.
The meeting would hopefully give the operators the opportunity to convince the authorities that they will put up measures in order to get their licence renewed, he told TODAY.
Operators of 12 commercial units at Orchard Towers were told last month that their public entertainment licences will not be renewed past May 31 next year.
In a letter to the operators, the police said that the move was “part of the Government’s continued efforts to manage the law and order situation and disamenities”.
The businesses hold a Category 1 licence, which allows the outlet to have dancing, singing and live performances on their premises.
The move not to renew licences for the nightclub and bars came as a shock to the operators, said Mr Nasen.
While the police have previously stated that new public entertainment licences are unlikely to be granted at Orchard Towers, Mr Nasen said that existing operators typically got their annual licence renewals approved.
“In this case, existing operators have been given notice, which means they will be zero-ed out.”
In response to TODAY’s queries, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that these operators may appeal to the Public Entertainment Appeal Board (PEAB), an independent body appointed by the minister.
“The decision by the PEAB is final,” it added.
NO IMPROVEMENT TO LAW-AND-ORDER SITUATION
Known for its nightclubs and bars, the 18-story office building located along Singapore’s prime shopping street has a notorious reputation for sleaze and brawls.
On several online guides on Singapore’s red-light districts, Orchard Towers features prominently alongside Geylang.
In the area, police anti-vice raids are common and fights are frequent. Just this week, three men were arrested and charged with rioting after a fight outside the building in the early hours last Sunday.
In 2019, a 31-year-old man died from a stab wound to the neck after a fight outside a nightclub in Orchard Towers.
The police told TODAY that the move not to renew the licences of the 12 nightclubs and bars came after a “consistently high volume of strong feedback from nearby residents and neighbouring developments”.
There were concerns over “public safety, vice activities and nuisance” due to the presence of nightclubs and bars at Orchard Towers, the police added.
“The law-and-order situation in Orchard Towers remains of concern and has not improved over the years.”
More at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...chard-towers-nightclubs-police-appeal-1972616
