Punggol Container Park tenants asked to leave as early as Oct. 31, land to be returned to SLA for future residential development

Punggol Container Park will be closing, with several tenants being asked to vacate over the next few months.

The landlord City Sprouts, also a tenant at the space, shared in a statement with Mothership that they had to commence the process of informing tenants about the need to vacate after the landowner, Singapore Land Authority (SLA), confirmed that they will have to return the land back to SLA.

The park, which launched around 2017, is home to a cluster of food and drink establishments operating out of repurposed shipping containers in an open-air setting.

SLA replied to Mothership's queries that the lease to City Sprouts cannot be extended as the site is required for future residential redevelopment.

The state property at 50 Punggol East Road will have to be returned to the agency by Dec. 31 upon lease expiry, SLA wrote in their statement.

Tenants' reactions

Some tenants expressed surprise when they learnt the news.

According to chat screenshots seen by Mothership, The Smok Hous found out in early August that it needs to move out by Oct. 31.

The halal smokehouse, which started as a home-based business, set up shop in Punggol Container Park in November 2025.

Owner Isrudy Shaik told Mothership they signed an annual contract to rent the space for about one year.

They were told to operate until Nov. 1 and were given another five days after that to clear all equipment and furniture.

As for what's next, Isrudy is still searching for a new location.

Filipino restaurant Tara Na only opened in Punggol Container Park four months before.

Similar to The Smoke Hous, they were informed that they need to vacate by the end of October despite signing a rental agreement until December 2026, Tara Na's owner Nurnisa Jonson told Berita Harian.

In a video with Isrudy, Nurnisa said, "It's really sad because the people just started to come here, and suddenly [with] one news, they'll all be gone."

The owner of ChickyFish, a longtime restaurant in the park since its establishment 10 years ago, shared in the same video that he was sad about the closure.

He hopes that more people will visit the area and make some memories while it's still around.

Uncertainty about the future

Several tenants were given a later deadline of December to move out.

Details about the last day of operations and future plans remain uncertain to some.

Fitness gym Ark Bloc, which has been around in the park since 2022, wrote on their social media that they have been given "limited information" about the move.

"Our current timeline extends until December 2026, although we have not yet been provided with a confirmed final date of operations."

Its neighbours Hai Bin Prawning and Punggol Billiard both told Mothership they will be closing by December.

An employee at Punggol Billiard who has worked there for five years said they will be sad to leave. They do not know where the billiard hall might move to next.

Hoping to get an extension to operate during year-end festive period

One of the long-time tenants, Whisk and Paddle, told Mothership that hey have always been aware that their tenancy at Tebing Lane would end on Dec. 31, as it was stated in their contract.

However, the cafe had understood that they could operate until that day, but in late August they were asked to fully vacate the premises by Dec. 31.

"This means we have to cease operations much earlier to carry out reinstatement works, with very short notice," the team said.

December is also a festive season where F&B businesses like Whisk and Paddle expects more demand.

They have been seeking assistance from their Member of Parliament (MP) to negotiate with their landlord for some flexibility to operate through December.

They believe it would also allow more time for a smoother transition for their fellow tenants in the area.

Recognise the disruption caused and will help tenants through this transition where possible: City Sprouts

City Sprouts told Mothership they sought to communicate the situation to the affected tenants as early as reasonably possible as they recognise that any closure or relocation can be disruptive to businesses, "especially for F&B operators who have invested significant time and resources into their operations."

To give tenants more time for the transition, they commenced this communication process with their tenants ahead of the require timeline and provided tenants with "substantially more" notice than the typical 60-day notice period, City Sprouts said.

They clarified that City Sprouts has not formally contacted any F&B tenants directly as they have a main sub-tenant that manages the F&B tenants. This sub-tenant was expected to communicate with them about the requirements to cease operations.

Having said that, City Sprouts has remained available to address queries and facilitate the transition where possible, the company said.

"We will continue to work constructively with affected parties during the transition and will provide reasonable assistance and clarification where possible within the constraints of the land return timeline."

A "deeply difficult" outcome

City Sprouts added that the outcome is "deeply difficult" for them, and that they understand the disappointment and uncertainty it creates for their tenants because they share that disappointment.

"We are genuinely heartbroken to have to leave a place that we have spent so much time and energy building together with everyone who has been part of it."

The decision to cease operations was not made by City Sprouts voluntarily but because they have to comply with the landowner's requirements, they emphasised.