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MP moves to minimise inconvenience at Compass Point

SINGAPORE — After some residents and tenants expressed concerns over the temporary closure of Compass Point shopping mall in Sengkang, incumbent Member of Parliament Teo Ser Luck yesterday assured that transitional arrangements are being looked at.

Compass Point shopping mall in Sengkang. Photo: Daryl Kang

Compass Point shopping mall in Sengkang. Photo: Daryl Kang

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SINGAPORE — After some residents and tenants expressed concerns over the temporary closure of Compass Point shopping mall in Sengkang, incumbent Member of Parliament Teo Ser Luck yesterday assured that transitional arrangements are being looked at.

For example, interim facilities such as ATMs could be installed at the nearby community club.

“Everybody’s trying to find somewhere nearby to be able to set up a temporary site,” said Mr Teo. “Whatever I can do, I’ll try. Even within my CC (community club) itself, if I can accommodate some (facilities), I would, but we have to look at the set-ups.”

The shopping centre, which is under Fraser Centrepoint Malls, will be closed for renovation for an extended period. Tenants told TODAY that it will be shut for a year, and they have until October to move.

A lack of amenities has been a sticking point for Sengkang and Punggol in the past. The stalled upgrading works at Rivervale Plaza in Punggol became a flashpoint in the 2013 Punggol East by-election.

Mr Teo said he has gotten some feedback.

“Most of the residents, when they spoke to me, they’re not expecting anything, but they tell me it’s a little inconvenient,” he said. “There would be some inconvenience for residents. Because of (the) renovation, it’s one less option for the time being. But for the commercial operators, it’s a step (which) they think is important ... They also have to incur commercial costs as well. But these are commercial decisions.”

The alternatives for residents are Hougang Mall, Rivervale Mall and Seletar Mall, which are all relatively close by.

Homemaker Alicia Toh visits Compass Point three to four times a week to buy groceries.

“It’s not so convenient because there aren’t many other malls around,” Mdm Toh, 43, said.

However, Mdm Zeenat Haniff, 49, felt it was “high time” for the mall to be renovated, preferably with a better tenant mix for families with young children.

“Perhaps they could have more sporting activities for children, like a rock-climbing wall,” she suggested.

Most tenants have already started winding down operations by offering clearance sales. Anchor tenant Metro department store closed down earlier this month. A Compass Point spokesman said the mall will be renovated in order to refresh the facilities and meet the latest safety, environmental and energy efficiency standards.

“The mall is now 13 years old and in need of a facelift, in particular the common areas such as lifts, escalators, toilets, railings and signage,” the spokesman said. “Currently, we are talking to key stakeholders affected by the project, including tenants, as part of our planning process.”

Mdm Agnes Yeo, who runs Sonare Music School, said her music school has lost some 100 students after it decided to move to Hougang Green Shopping Mall next month. The move would set them back by some S$250,000, as they have to tear down the furnishings in their current premises and spruce up their new place.

“We’re moving things bit by bit now,” said Mdm Yeo, 53. “Cost-wise, it’s expensive because we have to reinstate the shop to its original state.

“The official notification came about three months ago, and the management has promised us a place to return,” she added. “We’re looking forward (to returning) because this area is really quite (popular).”

Another tenant, 48-year-old Lee Yue Ping, who operates a pushcart in the basement, will be winding up operations by mid-October. “Thankfully, we can still set up shop elsewhere since we operate out of a pushcart. It’s less of a hassle and there are other areas we can go to.”

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