Businesses say: 'Why let a few black sheep ruin it for the rest of us?'

Businesses say: 'Why let a few black sheep ruin it for the rest of us?'

SINGAPORE - The Rivergate Grocer expects to take a big hit on its sales proceeds if and when the curfew on drinking in public takes effect.

Owner Mike Wong, 49, said he disagreed with the Bill to restrict alcohol consumption.

The Rivergate Grocer is just one of many shops selling alcohol in the area near Zouk.

Mr Wong said: "I often turn away customers when it is obvious they should not be drinking any more.

"Why should we let a few black sheep ruin the drinking experience for the rest of us?"

On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, most of his customers are clubbers who want to consume alcohol before they head to Zouk.

A sales assistant, who wanted to be known only as Lilet, said she would often give a 10 per cent discount to clubbers to encourage them to continue patronising the store.

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SUFFER

Most of Mr Wong's customers on the three nights buy their liquor after 10.30pm, which is why he expects his business to suffer if the Bill is passed.

He said that about 60 per cent of his takings on the three nights come from alcohol sales.

Clubbers said they also buy alcohol from convenience stores in Concorde Shopping Centre, which is linked to Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium at Outram Road.

But stores there declined comment.

A spokesman for Holiday Inn said that people do pass through the hotel to buy alcohol from the shopping centre.

It does not permit non-hotel guests to bring alcohol and drink on its premises.

The spokesman added: "We have security officers stationed in the hotel atrium. For the sake of our guests, we ensure that outsiders are made to leave if they become too rowdy."


This article was first published on January 20, 2015.
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