Written reply to PQ on nightlife businesses and Government assistance on pivoting

Question

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether nightlife businesses that pivot to other industries besides F&B receive Government assistance; (b) with only 18 nightlife businesses out of 400 taking up the Pivot Grant Support, what is the reason for the low take-up rate; and (c) how does the Ministry follow up with nightlife businesses after their licence to pivot to other commercial operations has been approved.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong

1. Nightlife businesses may apply for a pivot grant from Enterprise Singapore if they wish to pivot to other permitted activities, such as F&B, fitness gyms and co-working spaces.

2. Firms that accept the pivot grant are not permitted to resume its nightlife operations for at least 12 months, even if the nightlife sector is reopened. Based on industry feedback, some firms did not take up the pivot grant because of this moratorium, as they wanted the flexibility to resume their original nightlife activities if the nightlife sector re-opened.

3. All firms which pivot, regardless of whether they receive a grant or not, must adhere to the relevant Safe Management Measures (SMMs) and regulatory requirements of its new sector. Firms which took up the pivot grant and were subsequently found to have breached SMMs or violated the permitted use of their premise will have their grant rescinded.