Little India shops feel impact of alcohol laws

Sales curbs in place after 2013 riot hit profits; some businesses taking risks to stay afloat

Police officers patrolling Desker Road in the evening. The area is still popular with migrant workers on Sundays, although the crowds are smaller than before, according to shopkeepers and migrant workers.
Police officers patrolling Desker Road in the evening. The area is still popular with migrant workers on Sundays, although the crowds are smaller than before, according to shopkeepers and migrant workers. ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO ST FILE PHOTO
In the riot that took place on Dec 8, 2013, around 400 rioters attacked law enforcement officials after a foreign worker was knocked down and killed by a private bus.
In the riot that took place on Dec 8, 2013, around 400 rioters attacked law enforcement officials after a foreign worker was knocked down and killed by a private bus. ST PHOTO: JONATHAN CHOO ST FILE PHOTO
A seller hawking soft drinks along Desker Road. Some shopkeepers interviewed by ST reported dips in business as the crowd of migrant workers in Little India shrinks following the post-riot measures.
A seller hawking soft drinks along Desker Road. Some shopkeepers interviewed by ST reported dips in business as the crowd of migrant workers in Little India shrinks following the post-riot measures. ST PHOTOS: JONATHAN CHOO
Signs at some liquor stores telling customers of alcohol rules after restricted hours (above). A store assistant selling a can of beer to a customer at about 9pm on a Sunday.
Signs at some liquor stores telling customers of alcohol rules after restricted hours (above). A store assistant selling a can of beer to a customer at about 9pm on a Sunday. ST PHOTOS: JONATHAN CHOO
Signs at some liquor stores telling customers of alcohol rules after restricted hours . A store assistant selling a can of beer to a customer at about 9pm on a Sunday (above).
Signs at some liquor stores telling customers of alcohol rules after restricted hours . A store assistant selling a can of beer to a customer at about 9pm on a Sunday (above). ST PHOTOS: JONATHAN CHOO
Cara Wong
Updated
Dec 08, 2018, 02:51 PM
Published
Dec 08, 2018, 05:00 AM
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Inside a Little India liquor store, money changes hands quickly, and just as swiftly, a store owner passes a bottle wrapped in newspaper and placed in a plastic bag to a foreign worker.

In the space of 30 minutes from 8.45pm on a Sunday, more than 10 customers have bought either cans of beer or bottles of liquor from the store along the main street.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 08, 2018, with the headline Little India shops feel impact of alcohol laws. Subscribe

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