Restaurants experience a significant drop in business due to the rainy season
SINGAPORE: While many may appreciate the cooler temperatures of “sweater weather” in Singapore, the recent rainfall has had a detrimental impact on businesses reliant on pleasant weather conditions.
Jia Rui Yi Pin, a Chinese restaurant in the bustling heart of Chinatown, usually enjoys a steady stream of customers, but sales have dropped by 10 to 20 per cent, according to owner Li Rong. “It’s especially quiet today,” she explained. “Normally, when it’s not raining, we are fully booked. But today, we’ve only had two tables since morning. It’s clear that the rain has affected customer numbers.”
Restaurants offering al-fresco dining, such as those located at Alkaff Mansion in Telok Blangah Hill Park, are also feeling the impact, with foot traffic down by 20 per cent during this rainy spell compared to more favourable weather conditions. Marketing executive Jessie Tan from 1-Group, the hospitality company behind The Alkaff Mansion, noted that other factors, such as the long holiday and overseas travel, could also have contributed to the decline.
Despite the challenges posed by the weather, businesses are doing their best to accommodate customers. Tan explained that while they cannot offer full shelter due to the site’s limitations, they provide umbrella services for guests heading to their private-hire vehicles. Parasols are also available in some of the al-fresco areas.
With the monsoon season expected to continue until the end of the month, the eateries are bracing for more rainy weather. The Meteorological Service Singapore has warned of further rainfall due to the ongoing monsoon surge, which began on Sunday and is expected to last through the week. The surge is caused by strengthening winds over the South China Sea, leading to the formation of heavy rainclouds.
Some visitors have also been caught off guard by the persistent rain. Overseas lawyer Gabriel, in Singapore for the Chinese New Year holiday, noted that the wet weather has impacted his travel plans. “When you’re relying on public transport, you have to factor in the rain and plan your outings around it,” he said.
A visitor from New York, currently stationed in Singapore with the U.S. Navy, shared a similar sentiment, saying, “We didn’t expect it to rain continuously for such a long period. It’s surprising, but we’ll continue with our sightseeing regardless, even in places like Gardens by the Bay.”
