Hawker's monthly rent for stall? Just $1

Hawker's monthly rent for stall? Just $1




Mr Ng Khai Choon, 48, who runs the stall, Bombay Modern Indian Cuisine, says most of his costs stem from ingredients for his dishes, especially his signature kambing (mutton) soup. He says he is lucky to get the stall for just $1. -- ST PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG 

HAWKER Ng Khai Choon, 48, secured a stall to sell Indian food at the Commonwealth Crescent Market for a monthly rental rate of just $1.

He has occupied the corner unit on the market's second floor since January this year, after moving from Amoy Street Food Centre when it closed for renovations last December.

He paid a monthly rental rate of $900 at Amoy Street, but for the next three years, it will be $1 a month.

Since the National Environment Agency lifted reserve rental rates in 2012, it rents out hawker stalls that receive single bids over two tenders, rather than require competition from multiple bidders.

Echoing what Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu said in Parliament yesterday about raw materials - not rental rates - making up a large proportion of a hawker's total costs, he said most of his costs stem from ingredients for his dishes, especially his signature kambing (mutton) soup.

"Mutton is extremely expensive. It makes up about 60 per cent to 70 per cent of my total cost," he said.

Mr Ng runs the stall, Bombay Modern Indian Cuisine, single-handedly and thus does not incur extra manpower costs - although he intends to hire help by the middle of next year.

He pays about $300 a month for utilities, and more than $600 a month in cleaning fees.

While he declined to reveal his total monthly takings, he said it was enough to make ends meet.

He added: "I am very lucky to get the stall for just $1, it means I pay only $36 in rent for three years!"

The Straits Times / Top of The News               Published on 12 March, 2015

By Audrey Tan