30 Seats Removed from Jurong West 505 Market & Food Centre After Complaints About Cramped Seating

You should know by now that new hawker centres are so airy, you have a yoga class there.

But a revamped hawker centre has been on the news for being too cramped, and that has been addressed almost immediately.

Here’s what happened.

30 Seats Removed from Jurong West 505 Market & Food Centre After People Complaint of Cramped Seating

The Jurong West Block 505 Market and Food Centre reopened partially on 9 December 2024, following a three-month renovation aimed at improving its facilities.

The renovation also introduced several structural improvements to enhance hygiene, safety, and convenience.

All floor tiles were replaced with anti-slip materials, toilet cubicles were increased from nine to twelve for both men and women, and new anti-bird and anti-rodent spikes were installed to mitigate pest issues.

Lighting and ventilation upgrades were another highlight. Additional fans were installed after years of requests from stallholders, with some vendors expressing satisfaction with the improvement

Despite that, the revamp drew criticism from diners and stallholders due to cramped seating arrangements.

People were complaining about the narrow spacing between seats and tables.

Diners reported sitting “shoulder to shoulder,” with some noting that the tight arrangement made wheelchair access difficult. A housewife mentioned that the setup felt especially cramped for larger individuals.

Stallholders observed that in some areas, customers seated at adjacent tables nearly touched backs.

But the complaints didn’t last long; contractors began removing chairs shortly after the complaints surfaced.

By Thursday evening, approximately 30 seats had been taken out. Tables that initially accommodated six diners were adjusted to seat four, while four-seater tables were reduced to two.

The fewer seats provided more personal space and a less stifling atmosphere. Conversely, it meant people would have more difficulty finding seats during peak hours.

Which would you prefer?