HDB unveils more help for shops

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An estimated $6 million will be set aside for the upgrading and improvement of retail spaces at Housing Board flats.

This was announced by Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education, Ms Grace Fu, at a Retail Seminar jointly organised by Housing Development Board (HDB), SPRING Singapore and the Federation of Merchants' Associations (FMA) today.

Under the Revitalization of Shops (ROS) Scheme, shops at some 35 sites in mature estates like Tampines, Bedok, Jurong and Bishan will undergo renovation and retrofitting. HDB provides partial funding to help shopkeepers upgrade their their shopping environment, and/or carry out promotional activities to attract crowds. This is the third time HDB is rolling out this scheme, which started in November 2007. Previous batches of sites are progressing well in their revitalization efforts, with shopkeepers reporting a 10%-20% boost in sales. 

Rent-free Period for HDB Shop Tenants

In addition, HDB will also help other shop tenants enhance their shops. The Government will set aside $2 million per year for this initiative, and it would potentially benefit more than 6,000 HDB shop tenants. With effect from 1 Jul 2010, eligible HDB shop tenants who have completed at least 3 years of tenancy, and carry out renovation works for their premises, would be granted a 0.5 month rent free period. The purpose of this initiative is to help facilitate the upgrading of the overall shopping environment in HDB estates, and in the process help our shops improve their business viability. To be eligible for the rent free period, tenants must renovate their premises either within 6 months after their tenancy renewal date, or in conjunction with makeover / rejuvenation plans such as ROH, NRP, Town Council Improvement works.

 

Where2Shop@HDB Mobile

HDB has also enhanced Where2shop@HDB to make it more accessible to the public by offering it on the mobile platform. Unveiled last year as a website to showcase HDB shops in 148 Town / Neighbourhood Centres and Complexes, there three new features added to improve content. The 3 new features are New Kids In Your Block, What's Happening and Markets and Food Centre. Consumers can now access information on Where2Shop@HDB via their mobile devices, by going to the URL www.mobile.hdb.gov.sg.

 

Source of article : Asiaone