Relief, frustration among Punggol East Container Park tenants over lease extension offer

Some had already paid deposits and begun renovations at new premises, while others say the one-year extension gives them time to plan their next move.

Diners at Punggol East Container Park on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

This audio is generated by an AI tool.

SINGAPORE: Some businesses at Punggol East Container Park and Tebing Lane were caught off-guard by a one-year lease extension after preparing to close, while others welcomed the extra time to plan.

Founder of Play Pickle Darren Teo told CNA he learnt of the one-year lease extension from his landlord City Sprouts on Saturday evening (Oct 3).

"We were surprised by the news and the abrupt change in circumstances. We had been preparing to vacate Tebing Lane at the end of October and had already begun making operational and business decisions on that basis," he said.

The changes have caused a great deal of uncertainty for the tenants involved, said Mr Teo, noting that businesses need lead time to make decisions about staff, customers, equipment, finances and future locations.

CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less "It has been something of an emotional rollercoaster as well. We had already accepted that we were leaving Tebing Lane, informed our community and started preparing to say goodbye." Punggol GRC Member of Parliament Yeo Wan Ling announced on Saturday that the four master tenants at Punggol East and Tebing Lane, including social enterprise City Sprouts, had been offered lease extensions of up to a year. This could allow businesses to stay on until the end of 2027. The tenancies were due to expire on Dec 31, when the land would be returned to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). City Sprouts had told its subtenants, including those at the container park, to cease operations by Oct 31. In September, more than 50 tenants were preparing to leave , CNA reported.

"It has been something of an emotional rollercoaster as well. We had already accepted that we were leaving Tebing Lane, informed our community and started preparing to say goodbye."

Punggol GRC Member of Parliament Yeo Wan Ling announced on Saturday that the four master tenants at Punggol East and Tebing Lane, including social enterprise City Sprouts, had been offered lease extensions of up to a year. This could allow businesses to stay on until the end of 2027.

The tenancies were due to expire on Dec 31, when the land would be returned to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). City Sprouts had told its subtenants, including those at the container park, to cease operations by Oct 31. In September, more than 50 tenants were preparing to leave , CNA reported.

The pickleball courts at 10 Tebing Lane situated near the Punggol East Container Park on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

PLANS ALREADY IN MOTION

Some food and beverage operators told CNA they had committed to new locations, and the extension came too late.

Smok Hous owner Isrudy Shaik first learnt of the extension on social media, before he was contacted a few days later and asked if he wanted to stay on.

"It was a bit too late because I had already put down a deposit and started renovations," the 48-year-old said.

Tenants should have been given a clear timeline from the start, Mr Isrudy said, adding that the initial deadline and subsequent extension had created "a lot of uncertainty".

He worried that repeated changes would cause businesses to lose customers. "People will feel like, 'Oh, this is just a roti prata game – sometimes they close, sometimes they don't.'"

Chickyfish owner Alvin Chua said he had planned to close at the container park regardless of the extension, as business had dropped by more than 50 per cent in the past few years.

"Only recently when they announced about the closing, more people came. But we already cut down on manpower … so we already preplanned this whole thing," he added.

Diners at ChickyFish located at Punggol East Container Park on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

At 6 Tebing Lane, bouldering and strongman gym Ark Bloc had already made arrangements to restore the site for return, said Mr Jeremy Ko, a co-founder of Arkkies, the company behind the gym.

"Honestly, the news (of the extension) ruined my morning," he said.

The company had paid a non-refundable deposit to a demolition contractor and sold about 60 per cent of its equipment, said Mr Ko. Demolition costs will run S$35,000 to S$40,000.

"What frustrates us is that the position previously conveyed through our master tenant was definitive: there was no possibility of an extension. By the time we heard otherwise, we had already made substantial closure arrangements," he added.

The gym announced at the end of August that it would close from Nov 15, after Sports Hub @ Punggol indicated that an extension was off the table. This gave members enough time to use up or refund their passes.

Staff told members to sign up with other gyms, and revenue fell by 20 to 30 per cent in September. Mr Ko expects a further drop in October and November.

"Offering us another year now would not automatically bring them (members) back," said Mr Ko.

Arkkies, which runs 25 gyms in Singapore, will not extend Ark Bloc's tenancy in Punggol and has no confirmed relocation plan. Sports Hub @ Punggol management offered to lower the rent, but a slight rebate cannot cover a 30 per cent revenue dip, said Mr Ko.

Ark Bloc, a bouldering gym and fitness centre situated at 6 Tebing Lane near Punggol East Container Park on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

CITY SPROUTS RESPONDS

City Sprouts told CNA it was informed of the proposed extension on Oct 3 , the same day it was announced publicly.

The social enterprise intends to take up the extension, and its tenancy would run until Dec 31, 2027. Subtenancies would last until about November 2027, leaving time for handover works before the site is returned.

"We recognise that some tenants may already have secured alternative premises or committed resources towards relocation. We do not expect or require every tenant to reverse those plans," said its spokesperson.

Tenants who want to stay will be "given priority" in discussions, said City Sprouts, adding that it will respect decisions to proceed with relocation. "Where tenants would like to remain or require additional time, we are equally happy to work with them on the appropriate arrangements."

City Sprouts is the master tenant at 50 Punggol East Road, where Punggol East Container Park and other green spaces are located. The state properties at 32 Punggol East, 6 Tebing Lane and 10 Tebing Lane are tenanted respectively to Sing See Soon Floral & Landscape, Sports Hub @ Punggol and AT Punggol.

Sports Hub @ Punggol declined to comment, while Sing See Soon Floral & Landscape did not respond to queries. CNA could not reach AT Punggol.

CNA has also asked SLA whether all four master tenants have confirmed they will extend their leases, and why the extensions were announced shortly after subtenants were told to cease operations.

Sing See Soon Floral and Landscape, a five-generation family-owned florist and landscaping business situated at 32 Punggol East on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

Still, some businesses were glad to hear about the lease extension, saying the extra year has given them some "breathing room".

At Uncle Leong Seafood, shop manager Gary Ong said the business had been scrambling to find a new location after learning on Sep 1 that it had three months to move out.

"We feel quite relieved about the extension," said Mr Ong, who has worked there for 12 years. "We will use maybe six months to start looking for a new shop … we can slow down the pace a little."

Mr Gary Ong, who has been the restaurant manager at Uncle Leong Seafood for 12 years, on Oct 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Syamil Sapari)

Despite the reprieve, the extension only delays an eventual departure from the site the restaurant has occupied for 15 years. Regulars have been dropping by since news broke of the impending closure, he added.

"When we came here, there was no HDB (nearby), just the waterfront," said Mr Ong. "All these years, we watched everything come up."

The site is also frequented by recreational users such as Mr Dickson Len and Mr Brian Lim, who play pickleball there about once every two weeks. The location is convenient for their group and courts are easier to book in the mornings, they said.

Among the long-time patrons is Mr Satesh Raj, 36, who has been visiting the area since he was 19.

"I feel very sad. I literally grew up here. I'm not sure where else there's a place like this in Punggol," he said.

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

一些企业已经支付了定金，并在新址开始了装修，而另一些企业则表示，一年的延期让他们有时间计划下一步行动。

2026年10月5日，榜鹅东集装箱公园的食客。（图片：CNA/Syamil Sapari）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

新加坡：榜鹅东集装箱公园和德宾巷的一些商家在准备关门歇业之际，意外地获得了一年的租约延期，而另一些商家则对这额外的规划时间表示欢迎。

Play Pickle 的创始人 Darren Teo 告诉 CNA，他于周六晚上（10 月 3 日）从房东 City Sprouts 那里得知租约延长了一年。

“我们对这个消息和情况的突然变化感到惊讶。我们原本计划在10月底搬离特宾巷，并已开始据此做出运营和业务决策，”他说。

张先生表示，这些变化给相关租户带来了很大的不确定性，并指出企业需要时间来决定员工、客户、设备、财务和未来选址等事宜。

CNA游戏 猜词游戏 逐行破解单词 流行词游戏 用给定的字母组成单词 迷你数独 小小的谜题，强大的脑力挑战 迷你填字游戏 小方格，大挑战 单词搜索 尽可能多地找出单词 显示更多 显示更少 “这真是一段跌宕起伏的情感之旅。我们已经接受了离开德宾巷的事实，通知了社区，并开始准备告别。” 榜鹅集选区议员杨婉玲周六宣布，榜鹅东和德宾巷的四家主要租户，包括社会企业City Sprouts，已获得最长一年的租约延期。这可能使企业能够继续经营到2027年底。这些租约原定于12月31日到期，届时土地将归还给新加坡土地管理局（SLA）。City Sprouts已告知其分租户，包括集装箱公园的租户，在10月31日前停止运营。据CNA报道，9月份有超过50家租户准备离开。

“这期间我们的情绪也经历了不少起伏。我们之前已经接受了要离开特宾巷的事实，通知了社区居民，并开始准备告别。”

榜鹅集选区议员杨婉玲周六宣布，榜鹅东和德宾巷的四家主要租户，包括社会企业“城市萌芽”（City Sprouts），已获准续租至多一年。这可能使这些企业能够继续经营至2027年底。

这些租约原定于12月31日到期，届时土地将归还新加坡土地管理局（SLA）。City Sprouts已通知其所有分租户，包括集装箱公园的租户，于10月31日前停止运营。据亚洲新闻台（CNA）报道，9月份已有超过50家租户准备搬离。

2026年10月5日，位于榜鹅东集装箱公园附近德宾巷10号的匹克球场。（图片：CNA/Syamil Sapari）

计划已在进行中

一些餐饮经营者告诉 CNA，他们已经确定了新的选址，但延期来得太晚了。

Smok Hous 的老板 Isrudy Shaik 最初是在社交媒体上得知续约的消息，几天后有人联系他，问他是否愿意继续留任。

“有点太晚了，因为我已经付了定金，而且已经开始装修了，”这位48岁的男子说道。

伊斯鲁迪先生表示，应该从一开始就给租户一个明确的时间表，并补充说，最初的截止日期和随后的延期造成了“很多不确定性”。

他担心频繁的变动会导致企业流失顾客。“人们会觉得，‘哦，这就像吃印度煎饼一样——有时关门，有时不关门。’”

Chickyfish餐厅老板Alvin Chua表示，无论是否扩建，他都计划关闭集装箱公园的这家分店，因为过去几年生意下降了50%以上。

“直到最近他们宣布要关门的时候，才有更多的人来。但我们已经裁员了……所以我们早就预料到这种情况了，”他补充道。

2026年10月5日，食客们在榜鹅东集装箱公园的ChickyFish餐厅用餐。（图片：CNA/Syamil Sapari）

位于德宾巷 6 号的抱石和大力士健身房 Ark Bloc 已经安排好场地恢复事宜，以便重新开放。健身房背后的公司 Arkkies 的联合创始人 Jeremy Ko 先生表示。

“说实话，（延期的）消息毁了我的早晨，”他说。

柯先生表示，公司已向拆迁承包商支付了不可退还的定金，并出售了约60%的设备。拆迁费用预计在3.5万至4万新元之间。

“令我们感到沮丧的是，之前通过我们的主租户传达的立场是明确的：没有延期的可能性。等到我们听到相反的消息时，我们已经做出了实质性的交割安排，”他补充道。

健身房在8月底宣布将于11月15日起关闭，此前榜鹅体育中心已表示不会延期。这给了会员足够的时间使用或退还他们的会员卡。

员工建议会员转投其他健身房，9月份收入下降了20%至30%。高先生预计10月和11月收入将进一步下降。

“现在再给我们一年时间，并不会自动让他们（成员）回来，”柯先生说。

在新加坡经营25家健身房的Arkkies公司表示，将不再续租Ark Bloc在榜鹅的场地，目前也没有确定的搬迁计划。榜鹅体育中心（Sports Hub @ Punggol）的管理层提出降低租金，但Ko先生表示，这点折扣不足以弥补30%的收入下滑。

2026年10月5日，位于榜鹅东集装箱公园附近德宾巷6号的攀岩馆兼健身中心Ark Bloc。（图片：CNA/Syamil Sapari）

城市萌芽的回应

City Sprouts 告诉 CNA，他们于 10 月 3 日获悉了拟议的延期，当天该消息也向公众公布。

这家社会企业打算接受延期，其租约将持续到 2027 年 12 月 31 日。转租期将持续到 2027 年 11 月左右，以便在场地归还之前留出时间进行交接工作。

“我们意识到一些租户可能已经找到了替代办公场所或投入了资源进行搬迁。我们并不期望或要求所有租户改变这些计划，”发言人表示。

City Sprouts表示，希望留住的租户将在协商中享有“优先权”，同时公司也将尊重租户的搬迁决定。“对于希望留住或需要更多时间的租户，我们同样乐意与他们协商制定合适的安排。”

City Sprouts是榜鹅东路50号的主租户，该地块毗邻榜鹅东集装箱公园及其他绿地。榜鹅东路32号、德宾巷6号和德宾巷10号的州属物业分别由星仕顺花卉园林、榜鹅体育中心和榜鹅AT承租。

榜鹅体育中心拒绝置评，而星仕顺花卉园林公司未回复问询。亚洲新闻台（CNA）未能联系到榜鹅体育中心。

CNA 还询问 SLA，四家主租户是否都已确认将延长租约，以及为什么在分租户被告知停止运营后不久就宣布了续租。

2026年10月5日，位于榜鹅东32号的五代家族经营的花店及园林绿化公司——新思顺花艺园林公司（Sing See Soon Floral and Landscape）正式开业。（图片：CNA/Syamil Sapari）

不过，一些企业对租约延期的消息感到高兴，称多出的一年给了他们一些“喘息空间”。

梁叔海鲜店的店长 Gary Ong 表示，该店在 9 月 1 日得知必须在三个月内搬离后，一直在努力寻找新的店址。

“我们对延期感到非常欣慰，”在那里工作了12年的翁先生说。“我们可能会用六个月的时间开始寻找新的店面……我们可以稍微放慢节奏了。”

2026年10月5日，在梁叔海鲜餐厅担任经理12年的王嘉瑞先生。（图片：CNA/Syamil Sapari）

尽管获得了暂缓，但延期只是推迟了餐厅最终离开已经营15年的店址。他还补充说，自从即将关门的消息传出后，老顾客们就一直前来光顾。

“我们刚来的时候，附近还没有组屋，只有滨水区，”翁先生说。“这些年来，我们看着这里的一切一点点发展起来。”

这里也经常有像迪克森·伦先生和布莱恩·林先生这样的休闲用户光顾，他们大约每两周来这里打一次匹克球。他们说，这里位置便利，而且早上更容易预订场地。

长期顾客中有一位名叫萨特什·拉杰的先生，今年 36 岁，他从 19 岁起就经常来这里。

“我感到非常难过。我在这里长大。我不确定榜鹅还有哪里能找到像这样的地方，”他说。

订阅我们的邮件，即可获取精选热点新闻和引人深思的文章。

订阅通知，第一时间获取突发新闻和精彩报道。

加入我们的频道，即可在您常用的聊天应用上获取当日热门文章。