http://www.straitstimes.com/singapor...close-next-feb

Raintree Cove site at East Coast Park to close next Feb

Feb 11, 2016,

Pang Xue Qiang
Rachel Chia YT


Popular establishments at East Coast Park, such as Long Beach Main Seafood Restaurant and Lorna Whiston Pre-school, will have to move out when the lease for the Raintree Cove site expires on Feb 28 next year.

Tenants are expected to make way for the area's development.

The National Parks Board will take over the space, but said it is too early to reveal the plans for development.

About 10 establishments, including Singapore's only drive-through Burger King outlet, will be affected.

However, the fast-food chain's outlet said it has yet to receive any official news from the landlord about the lease.

The site is managed by Raintree Cove, and The Straits Times understands that the Singapore Land Authority granted the company a final extension last March.

It is the latest in a series of development works at East Coast Park, which also saw the closing of a McDonald's outlet in 2012.

Last year, Red House Seafood - a fixture at East Coast Seafood Centre for 30 years - also closed to make way for a landscaped lawn, as did restaurants No Signboard Seafood and Fisherman's Village, whose leases had expired.

Mr Jack Kang, business development manager of Ju Shin Jung East Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant, another eatery there, is now on the lookout for new premises.

"It is the years of relationships with regulars that will affect us most during this move," he said. "Some have been patronising the restaurant for over 10 years, even visiting three to four times a week. They will need time to adjust to a new location."

The restaurant occupies two levels and has a playground. Regulars comprise half its customer base.

"We need to find the same kind of building - big, spacious, airy," said Mr Kang. "But we are having difficulty doing so. I think we cannot find such a place in Singapore any more."

The restaurant will notify customers of the move once it has secured a new location.

When The Straits Times visited the site, employees at other establishments there, including a bicycle and in-line skate rental kiosk, were unaware of the move.

Property analysts say new developments there will probably be of a different concept because existing structures are dated.

Mr Eugene Lim, key executive officer of property agency ERA Realty Network, said facilities will be commercial in nature and related to the beachside location - for instance, "an integrated concept with recreational facilities and F&B outlets to cater to beach-goers".

Ms Zanurah Bhesyaqi, 21, a student who was having a picnic at East Coast Park, said: "They should keep the outlets, but update and refresh the building.

"ECP holds special memories for us and there should not be too many changes, so many of us who come back will still know what ECP used to be like."

Teaching assistant Christopher Chak, who visited the Burger King there, said: "I quite enjoy the convenience of the Burger King drive-through.

"ECP first lost McDonald's and then Carl's Junior. I would be sad to see it go too."