A management notice barring National Day Parade (NDP) participants from entering a mall sparked a public backlash yesterday after a photograph of it was posted online.

The sign at Leisure Park Kallang, reading "No entry to all NDP uniform personnel", received hundreds of comments after being posted on Facebook and online forums.

One, Mr Adrian Quek, said: "This is not the way to treat those involved in the NDP."

About 900 personnel from the Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team were in the area yesterday to rehearse for the Aug 9 show taking place at the Padang.

A security guard told The Sunday Times that the sign had been put up around 10am after soldiers drenched by a morning downpour ran for cover in the mall, making the floor wet. She said the management feared that other patrons would slip and fall, adding that the sign was taken down before lunchtime.

"We have nothing against the army boys... we just do not want to bear any liabilities if other customers slip and fall," she said.

Attempts to reach property developer Jack Investment, which manages Leisure Park Kallang, were not successful.

A spokesman for the NDP executive committee said it spoke to the mall's management and "resolved the matter".

Nearby businesses welcomed the extra crowds brought in by the parade rehearsals.

"We are happy with the extra business," said Ms Lydia Lee, manager of Soup Spoon.