Broken lifts, dark stairs: Bedok community hub’s tenants raise concerns 3 months after opening

SINGAPORE: What was meant to be a vibrant revival of a community space in Bedok has instead become a source of frustration and financial strain for its tenants.

Three months after its official opening, businesses at City Sprouts Bedok said that the facility is plagued by safety hazards and incomplete infrastructure that bear little resemblance to what they were promised.

The community hub, built on the site of the former Kampong Chai Chee Community Centre on Bedok North Avenue 1, opened on Oct 4 last year.

Tenants interviewed by CNA on Tuesday (Jan 6) told of poor lighting that has already caused injuries, basic amenities that remain non-functional and shoddy workmanship that has left them struggling to attract customers.

Manager Roslan Ahmad of Kebab & Co restaurant said of the repurposed use of space: “Looking old is okay, but you have to be clean and safe for people. 

“All these areas are not safe for the public to come and we are relying on the public to come and patronise our place.”

The concerns gained widespread attention after a social media video highlighting the issues went viral last Friday. It was put up by tenant Jackeline Goh, a co-founder of Chickata Cafe.

City Sprouts, the social enterprise chosen by the People’s Association and Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to operate the facility, is now facing pressure to address the problems.

The Bedok location is City Sprouts’ fifth community hub, following others in Henderson, Pasir Ris, Punggol and West Coast.

SAFETY HAZARDS

The most pressing concerns centre on inadequate lighting. Mr Roslan, whose restaurant faces the front of the community hub, said the entrance area is so poorly lit that his shopfront provides the main source of illumination.

“When I turn off my light, this area here is in complete darkness,” he said, adding that he has witnessed numerous people trip over a kerb between the hardcourt and entrance walkway. After he complained, a yellow line was painted to make the kerb more visible.

Mr Roslan said he was concerned for the safety of the residents passing through, especially the older ones. “It’s a matter of time before an accident happens.”

Ms Goh from Chickata Cafe said a staircase near her shop was also dimly lit. A patron had already tripped on the stairs, she added. 

Although the lighting issue was partially addressed after her video was released, half the staircase still remains unlit.