Latest news with #TelokBlangah
CNA
5 days ago
- Health
- CNA
Brahm Centre to open new outlet in Telok Blangah to meet rising demand for eldercare
Seniors living in the West can expect more wellness activities closer to home, with Brahm Centre opening up a new outlet in Telok Blangah. Set to open next January, the new centre aims to meet rising demand for eldercare services, from counselling to art therapy. The centre marked the occasion with its first-ever senior art exhibition. Natalie Ong with this report.
Independent Singapore
7 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Bidding wars at the void deck: Are we pricing out the heart of our heartlands?
SINGAPORE: The void deck, once the cornerstone of neighbourhood life, is fast becoming a site of fierce corporate competition. A recent round of public rental tender results has brought attention to an emerging trend: rising rental bids for commercial spaces in heartland areas, and the growing disconnect between what the community needs and who can afford to serve it. In Telok Blangah, Normanton Healthcare Pte. Ltd. secured a unit at Block 88A for S$16,800 a month. In Tengah Garden Walk, a clinic space was snapped up for an eye-watering S$40,088 monthly — a bid that outpaced established players like HMI Onecare, Normanton itself, and Qualitas Healthcare. Over in Tampines, Lum Sian Wei Shaun, a medical practitioner, put in the highest winning offer yet: S$52,188 for a single unit. These are not isolated cases. At Woodlands Street 82 and Circuit Road, successful bids ranged from S$4,200 to S$5,000 — a relatively modest but still competitive range. Some sites saw up to a dozen bids. The pattern is clear: demand for heartland space is rising sharply, and with it, the price to participate. Medicine, meals, and margin pressures Medical providers made a strong showing among successful bidders. Companies like Caring Medical Clinic Pte. Ltd., Kindred Medical Holdings, and My Family Clinic (TH) Pte. Ltd. featured prominently, with Caring securing two units — one in Tampines at S$25,388 and another at Champions Way for S$25,900. Retail and vending businesses weren't far behind. Juicy Fresh Pte. Ltd. won three Sengkang locations at S$1,560 per month, while other bids for smaller kiosks ranged between S$120 and S$2,000, depending on size and zoning. While the tender process has always been competitive, the scale and consistency of high-value bids suggest a deeper shift, one that residents in the form of price increases could soon feel. A general practitioner renting a unit at S$40,000 per month has few options but to revise consultation fees, especially when labour and equipment costs are also climbing. The same logic applies to retail and F&B outlets: groceries, beverages, and essentials may become incrementally more expensive as businesses seek to recover their margins. The cost of entry — and who gets left behind However, the most worrying outcome may be what doesn't get built. High rental thresholds are increasingly squeezing out sole proprietors, social enterprises, and community-minded cooperatives. Anecdotally, smaller bidders often enter the tender process knowing they will likely lose out, not because their concepts are poor, but because the cost of securing a foothold is too high. A potential long-term consequence? A slow and quiet shift in the character of heartland commerce — from vibrant, eclectic neighbourhood spaces to chain-dominated clusters. The kind where the tenant could just as easily be in a mall. Balancing books and the social contract The Ministry of National Development maintains that tender awards are not determined by rent alone. Bids are assessed on multiple criteria, including business concept, relevance to community needs, track record, and operational sustainability. Rental amount is just one piece of the puzzle. In theory, this hybrid model is designed to balance financial prudence with social value; however, critics argue that in practice, it favours applicants with more resources and experience who tick the most boxes. High rental bids still tend to align with final awards, particularly in tenders involving clinical or retail giants. While there's no formal preference for large companies, the competitive nature of the process often crowds out smaller players who might bring new ideas, local knowledge, or a deeper connection to the community, but not the capital. As public interest in this issue grows, questions are being raised about whether policy tweaks are needed to preserve accessibility in heartland commercial spaces. Can financial viability coexist with social diversity? Or will economic logic — unchecked — homogenise the void deck economy? The crossroads ahead Singapore's heartlands have never just been about proximity. They're about personality. The vendors who anchor a neighbourhood, who adapt to residents, and who reflect the rhythms of daily life. However, as rents climb and bids become a battleground for corporates, the heartlands risk becoming more like any high-rent district. Whether future policy will restore space for community-led commerce or continue to support current trends remains to be seen. For now, the ground beneath our feet may still be familiar, but the shops we walk past are changing.
Independent Singapore
27-05-2025
- General
- Independent Singapore
Yet another senior citizen found dead at the foot of an HDB block, no foul play suspected
Photo: Stomp FB SINGAPORE: A 63-year-old woman has reportedly passed away after falling from a block at Yishun Ring Road on Sunday (25 May) morning. An eyewitness reported spotting four police cars and two black police vans near Block 115A Yishun Ring Road on Sunday afternoon. He told citizen journalism portal Stomp, 'They lifted a body onto the stretcher with white plastic covering it, but the wind lifted the plastic a little, and I saw it was an Indian lady wearing a sari.' Calling the sight heartbreaking, the eyewitness added, 'There was a lot of blood around the area. It was really sad and tragic. I hope the family will have closure soon.' The police have since confirmed that they were alerted to a case of fall from height at about 10:30 a.m. A spokesman said, 'A 63-year-old woman was found motionless at the foot of the said block and was pronounced dead at scene by an SCDF paramedic.' While investigations are ongoing, the spokesman noted that the police does not suspect foul play based on a preliminary probe. This latest case comes less than a week after another 63-year-old was found dead at the foot of Block 76 Telok Blangah Drive on the night of May 20. The man was found lying motionless at the foot of the block around 10 pm and was pronounced dead at the scene. The police said at the time that preliminary investigations do not indicate foul play. If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional or mental health issues, help is available. Mental health helplines Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24-hour CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Tinkle Friend (for children): 1800-274-4788 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling helplines Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Online resources If you are in distress or know someone who needs support, do not hesitate to reach out. You are not alone.
Independent Singapore
23-05-2025
- Independent Singapore
63-year-old man found dead at foot of Telok Blangah block, no foul play suspected
Photo: Stomp FB SINGAPORE: A 63-year-old man was found dead at the foot of Block 76 Telok Blangah Drive on the night of May 20. According to eyewitnesses in the area, a blue police tent had been set up at the foot of the block, and multiple police vehicles were seen parked nearby. Several residents gathered quietly at the scene, with many expressing shock at the incident. In response to media queries, the police confirmed they were alerted to the incident at around 10pm. Upon arrival, the man was found lying motionless at the foot of the block. A paramedic from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) pronounced him dead at the scene. Preliminary investigations do not indicate foul play, police said. Investigations are ongoing. If you or someone you know is struggling with emotional or mental health issues, help is available. Mental health helplines Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours) Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24-hour CareText via WhatsApp) Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019 Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928 Tinkle Friend (for children): 1800-274-4788 Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1 Women's Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm) Counselling helplines Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252 Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555 Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180 Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366 We Care Community Services: 3165-8017 Online resources (for ages 13-25) (for ages 12-25) If you are in distress or know someone who needs support, do not hesitate to reach out. You are not alone.
