SINGAPORE - Drinks stall owners at Tekka Food Centre are appealing for a new alcohol restriction to be rescinded, claiming it will affect their businesses.

Stallholders were sent letters by the police last Friday (July 22), informing them that from Aug 1, alcohol will only be allowed to be sold from 6am to 6pm on Sundays, instead of 6am to 11.59pm, as is currently the case.

The new restriction will affect 10 liquor licensees at the food centre.

"The Police have been closely monitoring the ground situation islandwide following the implementation of the Liquor Control Act in April 2015," said the police, in response to queries from The Straits Times.

The police have received feedback on the congregation of alcohol drinkers at Tekka Food Centre on Sunday evenings, said the statement. "The large congregations of drinkers within confined areas pose law and order risks. This will also impact other patrons who visit the centre for dinner."

The police also confirmed that they have received representations from some of the affected liquor licensees while one official appeal has been lodged with the Liquor Appeal Board.

Stickers have been placed on tables at the food centre informing patrons about the change when The Straits Times visited the food centre on Wednesday (July 27).

Madam How Poh Tin, 60, owner of Zhong Guang Jiang Cold and Hot Drinks, said there are alot of foreign workers who visit for a drink between 7pm and 10pm.

"Sundays especially, because some of them have half day, so they will come here," said Madam How. "With the alcohol ban, they won't come here because there's no drinking. That means we have no business. "We hope they overturn the ban, or at least extend it later. 6pm is really ridiculous."

However, residents in the estate have welcomed the new ban.

Said Mr Raj Chinniah, 50: "When I'm home on Sundays, I don't go down to the food centre, because I feel uncomfortable sitting there."