Leo Shang De, a veteran hawker in Singapore, was compelled to temporarily shut down his stall after the new coffee shop operator tripled his monthly rent. Despite facing financial hardship, Leo's story resonated with many, including Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh, who vowed support for the hawker's future endeavors.
An elderly hawker in Singapore , Leo Shang De, decided to temporarily close his stall on February 26th after the new coffee shop operator planned to triple his monthly rent from $930 to $3,000. Leo, who has over 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, explained that he couldn't afford the significant rent increase.
He had previously worked in Denmark with his brother and later returned to Singapore to start his own business, initially selling items like chicken rice, wanton mee, and prawn noodles. Inspired by his newfound vegetarianism, Leo eventually shifted his focus to promoting healthy dining options. Facing the daunting rent hike, Leo expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, 'I am just running a small business, and I only earn enough to get by. I can't afford such rent.' He revealed his intention to bid for a stall at a government-owned hawker center to continue his business.Leo informed the existing coffee shop operator of his plans to vacate the stall by Friday, February 28th. However, he encountered an unexpected confrontation when the operator allegedly rushed him while he was moving his belongings. 'I had already told him that the move would be completed by 6pm, with only one refrigerator left waiting for a truck to take it away. I don't know why he was so aggressive,' Leo recounted. Adding to his woes, Leo requested a refund for two days' rent, totaling $62, as he had closed his stall early. This request was denied by the existing operator.Fortunately, the new coffee shop operator stepped in to assist Leo, kindly refunding his two days' rent from his own pocket and advising him to stay calm amidst the stressful situation. Workers' Party chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh also extended his support, publicly expressing his admiration for Leo's resilience and highlighting his intention to reopen his stall at a new location nearby. In response to Leo's allegations, the previous coffee shop operator clarified that he had informed all stallholders about the need to vacate their stalls before Saturday, March 1st, to allow for renovations under the new operator. He admitted that his interaction with Leo on Friday was inappropriate, attributing it to the pressure of the situation. He also explained that he hadn't refunded Leo's rent because he hadn't received it from the current coffee shop owner
Hawker Rent Hike Singapore Small Business Worker's Party Pritam Singh
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