If there was an acronym for the word ‘Singaporean’, then the letter ‘e’ would definitely have to be for eating.
We love our food way too much on this island, after all.
So if there’s a new eating place opening up, it is usually best to expect long queues and crowds.
Hence why two-upcoming hawker centres will launch with wide spaces.
New Hawkers at Sembawang & Sengkang will Have Widely-Space Table to Prevent Overcrowding
Sembawang and Sengkang pals, you’re in for a treat.
For the former, you can look forward to Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre in Canberra, being part of a sport and community club.
Because of this, you’ll get the garden-vibe during meals, along with 40 stalls and 700 seats.
Meanwhile, those in Sengkang can enjoy the Fernvale Hawker Centre and Market.
This one will be a part of a wet market and a childcare centre, so the scale isn’t too shabby as well.
Funnily enough, you may have heard about these two before, seeing as they were supposed to open in 2020.
But then COVID-19 happened and you know how the story goes: construction delayed.
Still, the good news is that both of them will open by the end of this year.
But in these times, one important question crosses our mind, “What about social distancing?”
Improvement and Sustaining of Hawker Centres
Luckily, on 4 March, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor answered that question.
A Hawker Centres Transformation Programme will be developed to ensure cleanliness and safety.
Firstly, tables and seats will be properly spaced out to adhere to social distancing.
The next aim is to install sensors for crowd monitoring and facilitating maintenance.
Ms Khor hopes that experiences with COVID-19 and implementation of such measures will see hawker centres improve.
Not just the new ones either, as redeveloping ones will also get the sustainability treatment.
She also mentions that since the average hawker age is 60, sustaining hawker trade into the future is an urgent matter.
This is where the Hawkers Succession Scheme comes into play.
The scheme would help match veteran hawkers to successors, particularly those without family or relatives to succeed them.
Almost like a Yoda to Luke Skywalker.
I know we mentioned the above two that will be opening but…
…what if we told you there was one more new hawker centre opening?
Senja Hawker Centre
West-side gang, rise.
Because Senja Hawker Centre in Bukit Panjang is set to open in early 2022!
Moreover, it will get the same sustainability treatment as the other two hawker centres too.
Senja Hawker Centre will include features like food waste digestion, rainwater harvesting and solar panels.
So foodies, remember these places for there’s going to be a lot of eating to do soon.
Feature Image: kandl stock / Shutterstock.com
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