SINGAPORE — Shops selling liquor in Little India are still seeing very few customers in the first weekend following the lifting of the ban on the sale of alcohol.

The sale of alcohol in Little India was banned following a riot on 8 December. The ban was lifted on Wednesday, but shops holding retail and wholesale licences will only be allowed to sell alcohol during restricted hours.

Most shop owners told Channel NewsAsia yesterday (Dec 21) they made a fraction of what they used to earn.

One owner, whose shop is only four months old, said he made about S$20 yesterday – one-tenth of his usual takings of more than S$200.

Another owner said he had to close down one of his two shops to cope with his failing business.

Shops can only sell liquor between 6am and 8pm during weekends and on the eve of and public holidays.

But they intend to continue opening their shops in the afternoons as they said customers will not be turning up any earlier.

Some have cut prices of products like beer if they are nearing their expiry dates.

A shop owner lamented: “We are already selling cheap. If we give discounts, we’re losing. And for this shop, we’re paying S$7,000. How can we pay the rent? How can we pay the people who are working for salary?” CHANNEL NEWSASIA