RECORD RESPONSE FOR SMITH STREET HAWKER STALLS AND RESTAURANTS

More than 150 enquiries have been pouring into the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for the proposed Food Street hawker stalls and restaurants along Chinatown's Smith Street.

The overwhelming response for the 18 food kiosks and 14 shop units reaffirms the public's support for the reintroduction of and revival of open-air cooking in Chinatown.

Street stalls and street markets ? once familiar scenes in Singapore ? disappeared during the early 1980s' clean-up which relocated most of the hawkers to concrete and more hygienic food centres and wet markets.

The revival of this much-missed practice is part of the Chinatown Experience Guide Plan, a multi-agency effort spearheaded by the STB and supported by the stakeholders of Chinatown, especially the Chinatown Business Association (CBA), a non-profit organisation which has been actively involved in the conceptualisation of the Food Street. The S$1 million Smith Street project is steered by a Street Markets Committee, which also comprises the Ministry of Environment (ENV).

Food consultant Juliet David has been appointed to locate renown hawkers and F&B operators, and recommend the selection criteria and procedures.

Food critics will also join her in a selection panel to provide unbiased taste judgement. Premas International, Land Office's leasing agent, recommends the leasing rates and terms. The CBA will act as the central operator of the Food Street while the STB ensures the successful implementation of the entire project.

The selection criteria, discussed among the four main parties - STB, CBA, Premas and Juliet David ? will be stringent to ensure that Smith Street has the best quality food at affordable prices, and food types that have a symbolic link to the history of Chinatown.

Edmund Chua, the STB's Deputy Director Thematic Development, said: "We want the best food at the best prices, and the best mix of food selection that have a traditional link to Chinatown. For this reason, we have decided against bids, which will inevitably result in the highest bidder winning and not necessarily enable us to determine the best quality or mix of food. Instead, we have opted for a selection panel comprising food consultants and critics, and representatives from the CBA and Premas, to taste-test and shortlist."

Juliet David, food consultant, commented: "It is very encouraging to know that so many F&B operators are excited about Food Street, the panel certainly has a tough job ahead. After the arduous task of selecting the best is completed, regular taste sessions will also be convened to ensure that the quality of food stays consistent."

The various criteria were presented to over 200 interested operators at a pre-qualifying series of presentations conducted on 7 March by the four main parties in English and various Chinese dialects. The session also served to explain the concept of Food Street, tenancy terms and rates, and other details such as facilities to ensure the highest level of sanitation and hygiene ? two vital aspects which set the present day Food Street apart from its predecessor.

The Smith Street mobile hawker kiosk was designed by lecturers and students of the Nanyang Polytechnic to meet the stringent requirements of the ENV.

Each kiosk will be equipped with cookers and closed circuit piping systems for fresh and waste water.

Hawkers will be required to prepare food in a centralised kitchen operated by the CBA. Occupying two of the vacant shop units, this kitchen will also be used for refrigeration, washing and storage of utensils and cutlery.

"We are delighted to be directly involved in this project, afterall, enhancing the business environment and promoting the welfare of the businesses in Chinatown remain the priorities of the Association," said CBA's Chairman Koh Tian Seng. "Given Singaporean's love for good food, we are confident that Smith Street will be a strong magnet for them to revisit Chinatown. In the process, other businesses here will also benefit. In fact, there are already some businesses in the vicinity who have expressed that they will extend their opening hours once the crowd returns."

The CBA has recommended the initial operating hours of the hawker kiosks to be from 5pm to 11pm. However, CBA Chairman Mr Koh stressed that these operating hours may be extended on demand.

Smith Street is currently undergoing a S$1 million construction to prepare for the installation of the street hawkers. Targeted for completion in May this year, this will see an outdoor eating area that can accommodate up to 300 persons, improvements such as grease traps for the shophouses, upgrading of the electrical wiring, extension of the sidewalk and the addition of signage and street furniture.

Premas announced at the March 7 presentation that the shop units, ranging from 690.8 square foot to 6,097.2 square foot, will be rented out at a competitive rate of S$5 per square foot for ground level units, and S$2 per square foot for upper levels. The tenure is for three years with an option for extension, based on negotiations between the restaurant operators and Premas. Part of the considerations for extension will include the ability of the operator concerned to provide consistently high quality of food and service.

Estimated monthly rental, which will include use of the central kitchen, the hawker kiosk and the dining area will be priced competitively at below S$2,500. Tenure is for up to two years, based on individual hawkers' negotiation with the CBA.