The Providore staff 'hurt' & 'angry' by sudden closure, NTUC extending help to affected union members

Staff of The Providore Singapore got a rude shock on Monday morning (Mar. 9) when they arrived at work only to be told that the company would be ceasing operations that very day.

This was news to the staff, who were informed that they were being made redundant, at the same time the closure was publicly announced via the brand’s Instagram account that day, according to an employee who spoke to Mothership on condition of anonymity.

The employee said he was asleep when a colleague called to break the news of their retrenchment.

His shift had been scheduled to start later that day, but he rushed down to the Downtown Gallery outlet, where the majority of staff had also gathered.

However, no one from the management was there, he said.

Instead, a woman whom the staff did not recognise, handed out a “form” indicating each employee’s notice period and salary, he added.

Staff were apparently promised their salaries that covered their individual notice periods, as well as payment for the days worked in March so far.

However, they were allegedly told the money could take between six and 12 months to reach them.

Management seen clearing stock

Leading up to the closure, the staff said they had heard whispers that the company was “losing money”, but nothing was confirmed.

He also said several staff members noticed that the management had been clearing new wine bottles and liquors just the day before.

Outlet managers were allegedly told the previous night to go to the Downtown Gallery outlet with company items, such as laptops and other electronic devices.

However, it is unclear what was conveyed to the managers during this meeting.

New management

The brand was founded in 2013 and sold to new investors in April 2025, with founder Robert Collick exiting the business.

Vino Vibe Pte. Ltd. was announced to have bought and invested in The Providore Singapore on Apr. 10, 2025.

Since then, the staff member claimed that things had changed "drastically" in terms of work benefits and culture.

Working hours increased from the minimum of 44 hours to around 60 to 72 hours a week.

Staff gatherings and bonding sessions were also done away with, he added.

Hurt and angry

The staff member, who has worked at The Providore for more than five years, said he was incredibly shocked and hurt by the sudden closure.

Many other employees also expressed their anger and sadness when they gathered at the Downtown Gallery outlet, he said.

They are now scrambling to find new employment, with foreign workers facing the prospect of having their work permits cancelled soon.

The Providore's email could not be reached when Mothership emailed them for comment.

When Mothership visited the VivoCity outlet on the evening of Mar. 9, the entrance had been boarded up.

NTUC to help affected union members

In response to queries from Mothership, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said it understands from news reports that The Providore has ceased operations, with workers informed of the closure on the same day.

The Providore is a non-unionised company in Singapore, NTUC noted.

But there are affected workers who are union members, NTUC said, adding that it will extend assistance to affected union members to ensure they receive the necessary support.

These include connecting them to the labour movement’s network, such as NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute).

Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) can tap on e2i’s job matching services, career coaching and skills upgrading advisory, it said.

Eligible union members can also tap into the Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP) to offset training costs should they require skills upgrading.

Affected union members and workers who are facing salary arrears or other employment-related issues may approach NTUC for assistance at their hotline 6213 8262 (9am–6pm) or via email at [email protected].

Top photo by Mothership