'I can see opportunities where the firms provide the brokers lunch in-house - rather than having everyone order individually - thus maximising the brokers' time for trading,' he continued.

The proposal by SGX to move towards full-day trading - scrapping the lunch break from 12:30 to 2pm - aims to boost international interest, liquidity and value. Unsurprisingly, the suggestion hasn't gone down well with brokers here.

However, SGX isn't the only bourse looking to make the switch. Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing CEO Charles Li wants to cut the two-hour lunch break in half to bring trading in line with China's financial markets, according to a media report in October.

'The F&B industry has to be on its toes with regard to what happens in the finance industry, because it really determines and affects our crowd overall,' said Vivien Xie, assistant PR and marketing manager for IndoChine Group, adding that the majority of the lunch crowds at its three restaurants in and near the CBD is made up of professionals, managers, executives & businessmen (PMEBs).

For now, Ms Xie reckons the move (if successful) would not hit sales substantially, suggesting that sales of after-work drinks may rise instead, offsetting any drop in lunch sales.