Latest news with #RobertsonQuay
Independent Singapore
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Labubu-themed kids' holiday camps draws jeers (and legal concerns!)
Reddit screengrab/ u/Stefan0_ SINGAPORE: After a local Reddit user shared a standee for a holiday tuition camp that had the ultra-popular Labubu dolls as a theme, users on the platform had a lot to say. The four-day camps at Novena and Robertson Quay, which are for September and October, are for kids aged 7 to 14. Parents can choose to send their offspring to either morning or afternoon sessions, which feature such activities as 'Create-a-Bubu', 'Animate-a-Bubu,' and 'Game-a-Bubu.' In their Aug 15 post on r/Singapore, u/Stefan0_ wrote that 'Late Stage Capitalism Has Hit Our Tuition Centres,' and also quipped, 'Can't wait for the Labubu themed PSLE TYS Books!' Reddit screengrab/ u/Stefan0_ ICYMI, a Labubu is a female elf from Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, part of his popular story series, The Monsters. In October 2023, Labubu plush charms were launched and became a hit, especially after Lisa from the K-pop supergroup Blackpink was seen with them on her bags. They became one of the must-have items for 2024, and are so popular that they reportedly sell out as soon as they're released for sale at Pop Mart. The craze for Labubu dolls still runs hot in Singapore and other parts of Asia. It has even spread to the United States, where queues have recently begun to form in the middle of the night at Pop-Mart stores. The photo of the standee for the holiday camps left many Reddit users shaking their heads. 'LMAO did they pay the licensing fees or this is a lawsuit waiting to happen,' wrote one, while another noted that the parent company that produces Labubus have already slapped a lawsuit against a food and beverage company for unauthorised usage of the figures or images of the figures. 'They are as litigious as Nintendo,' the commenter added. Another Reddit user quipped that the holiday camp people 'can just change the name of the programme to lafufu lol.' 'What's wrong, babe, you need to get ready for your 24 Carat Gold Labubu Dubai Chocolate Matcha Latte-themed Tuition Camp,' another mocked. Nevertheless, others were impressed by the skills kids will potentially pick up at the camps. 'Even I don't know how to animate with Python, and them primary 1 kids do. Sign me up, man,' one wrote. 'Tbf, I think this is used in a good way. At least get kids interested in learning some crafts. The skills taught are quite interesting, too,' commented another. /TISG Read also: Woman who bought fake Labubu doll for S$220 calls police after seller refused to refund () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
CNA
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Singapore private club 1880 to reopen weeks after sudden closure
SINGAPORE: Singapore private members' club 1880 will reopen in August, just weeks after announcing that it would close permanently and enter liquidation. In response to CNA's queries on Tuesday (Jul 1), a spokesperson confirmed that the new club would open next month and occupy the same Robertson Quay space as its predecessor. The spokesperson also said that more than "90 per cent" of the employees who had worked at the shuttered club would return. However, the three co-founders of 1880 - Mr Marc Nicholson, Ms Jean Low, and Mr Luke Jones - will not be involved in the new venture. Tsoler Jekalian, the club's general manager, said: "We can't wait to welcome former 1880 members back to their home away from home." Current club members will also be given the option to carry over their memberships to the new club without any joining fees. Although no new amenities were disclosed ahead of the club's reopening, Ms Jekalian promised a "more vibrant, elevated" experience. 1880 CLOSED IN JUNE The Singapore club closed shortly after 1880 shuttered its Hong Kong branch on May 30, less than a year after opening. In an email to members seen by CNA, 1880 said last month it was shutting down because spending and visits by its members had been "trending down", while its efforts to secure new investors or a buyer for the club ultimately fell through. With no further funds to pay its staff or suppliers, 1880 added it had "no alternative but to close". The email also alluded to expansion as a reason for the business' failure and said that the club's holding company, 38 Degrees and operating company 1880, had been placed into provisional liquidation. The club had offered social events and spaces, including a restaurant, bar, spa and co-working space. Past speakers it had hosted include former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, veteran diplomats Kishore Mahbubani and Bilahari Kausikan, and the host of Netflix series Mind Your Manners, Sara Jane Ho. South China Morning Post previously reported that 1880 Hong Kong had entered liquidation with debts of about HK$20 million (US$2.5 million).
South China Morning Post
17-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Singapore's 1880 club shuts down, 2 weeks after demise of Hong Kong branch
Private club 1880 in Singapore has abruptly closed down, two weeks after its cash-strapped Hong Kong branch folded, with its founder citing falling attendance and decreased spending by members for its demise, the Post has learned. In a letter sent to members on Monday at midnight and seen by the Post, founder Marc Nicolson said its local premises, located in InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay, would be shutting down with immediate effect. He also revealed the club's holding company 38 Degrees and operating company 1880 Pte Ltd had been placed into provisional liquidation. Nicolson said in the letter that building 1880 had been a 'dream come true', but 'spending and frequency per visit of our members has been trending down'. He added that he was grateful and sorry to the club's board, staff and members, and told members not to visit the club's premises as 'the doors will be locked'. Nicolson said he had received three offers to invest in or acquire the club, and 'any one of these would have restored us to health and given a runway to building a global brand'. But he had ultimately been 'unsuccessful in getting those offers over the line' and was left without further funds to pay staff and suppliers.
CNA
17-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Private club 1880 Singapore closes down, says it has no funds to pay staff and suppliers
SINGAPORE: Private members' club 1880 Singapore has informed members it will close permanently on Tuesday (Jun 17) and enter liquidation. The club, located in Robertson Quay, was founded by Marc Nicholson and opened in late 2017. On Monday, its social media accounts were still promoting upcoming events. The abrupt closure comes after 1880's Hong Kong branch shuttered on May 30, less than a year after opening. In an email seen by CNA, which was sent to members late on Monday night, 1880 Singapore provided brief reasons for the closure. "Spend and frequency per visit of our members has been trending down. The company needed an injection and some efficiency optimisation," the email read. "We had three offers to invest in or acquire 1880. Anyone of these would have restored us to health and given a runway to building a global brand. "We were however, unsuccessful in getting those offers over the line. With no further funds to pay our staff or suppliers, we have no alternative but to close." The email also stated that the club's holding company 38 Degrees and operating company 1880 have been placed into provisional liquidation, with details about the liquidation process and creditors' meeting to come. When CNA visited 1880 Singapore on Tuesday morning, the entrance was blocked. A sign on the third level, where the club is located, indicated it was "permanently closed". CNA has contacted 1880 for more information. 1880 Singapore offered social events and spaces, including a restaurant, bar, spa and co-working space. Past speakers it has hosted include foreign minister George Yeo, veteran diplomats Kishore Mahbubani and Bilahari Kausikan, and the host of Netflix series Mind Your Manners, Sara Jane Ho. South China Morning Post previously reported that 1880 Hong Kong was entering liquidation with debts of about HK$20 million (US$2.5 million).
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Otter bites woman at Singapore's Robertson Quay, National Parks Board steps up patrols
SINGAPORE, May 12 — A woman was bitten by an otter near Jiak Kim Bridge at Robertson Quay in Singapore yesterday, prompting authorities to cordon off the area and step up patrols. The National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed to The Straits Times (ST) that the location is a known habitat for smooth-coated otters with young pups. While it did not disclose how many otters were involved or the extent of the woman's injuries, it said members of the Otter Working Group rendered immediate assistance and are in touch with the woman's family. According to ST, the Otter Working Group comprises representatives from NParks, PUB, Mandai Wildlife Group, the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, and other partners. It was formed to monitor and manage Singapore's otter population amid growing human-wildlife encounters. 'To ensure public safety, NParks has stepped up patrols in the area and installed additional signage to remind visitors to keep a safe distance from the otters, particularly near their nursing site,' said How Choon Beng, NParks' group director of wildlife management. 'Together with the Otter Working Group and our community of otter watchers, NParks monitors the otters regularly to better understand their population, distribution and movement patterns, and takes proactive measures to pre-empt or mitigate human-animal conflicts where possible.' How stressed that otters are generally curious animals and will not attack unless provoked or if they feel threatened. He warned that adult otters may become defensive if they perceive danger to their pups. The public is urged not to touch, feed, chase or corner the animals, especially when pups are present. The incident comes amid past reports of similar encounters. In April 2022, a man was bitten on the calf while filming a large group of otters at Kallang Riverside Park. In another case in November 2021, a man was attacked by otters during a morning walk in the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
