# Joint Press Release on Revitalisation Measures at Boat Quay Historic District, Upper Circular Road Area and Clarke Quay Conservation Area

- **Source:** Ministry of National Development
- **Published:** 2025-08-06T16:00:00.000Z
- **Author:** Ministry of National Development
- **Original:** https://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/view/joint-press-release-on-revitalisation-measures-at-boat-quay-historic-district--upper-circular-road-area-and-clarke-quay-conservation-area
- **Topics:** Government & Policy

## Featured rationale

The relaxed rules could increase footfall and tenant demand across Boat Quay and neighbouring conservation areas, potentially supporting nightlife-oriented commercial premises.

## AI summary

From 18 August 2025, a one-year pilot allows new Boat Quay nightlife proposals, selected 4 a.m. trading and resumed Circular Road closures.

## Original article

The Government has reviewed the feedback from precinct stakeholders on the vibrancy of the Boat Quay precinct and neighbouring areas as part of its regular engagement with industry stakeholders, and will implement a series of revitalisation measures in these areas.

Background

Since December 2009, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) have introduced various measures in the Boat Quay Historic District and Upper Circular Road area to address law and order concerns so that these areas remain safe and attractive to locals and overseas visitors.[1] The law-and-order situation at Boat Quay has remained stable over the last few years.

In line with ongoing efforts to enhance vibrancy and provide opportunities for businesses in the city centre, the Government will implement the following initiatives at the Boat Quay Historic District and neighbouring areas on a one-year pilot, with effect from 18 August 2025:

New Change of Use Applications for Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs at Boat Quay Historic District

Applicants may submit proposals for new bars, pubs and nightclubs along the Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street, where Singapore River One (SRO)[2] will assist with security patrols. Approved proposals for new nightlife uses in the applicable areas as mentioned above may be granted Temporary Permission for up to three years during the pilot.

Extended Liquor Trading Hours at Boat Quay Historic District, Upper Circular Road Area and Clarke Quay Conservation Area

SPF will consider applications from liquor licensees with relevant planning permissions[3] in Boat Quay Historic District, Upper Circular Road area as well as the Clarke Quay Conservation Area to extend their trading hours to 4 a.m. (on the following day) on Thursday and Friday nights. This is on top of the existing liquor trading hours of up till 3 a.m. (on the following day) on Sundays and weekdays, and 4 a.m. (on the following day) on Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays.

Please refer to the location map in the Annex for the areas mentioned in the above paragraphs.

Resumption of Road Closures at Circular Road

The Car-Free Zone initiative was first implemented in 2013 as part of efforts to enliven our public spaces and enhance the vibrancy of the area. Agencies will facilitate SRO’s proposal to resume the regular closure of Circular Road in the evenings of Friday and Saturday as well as eve of public holidays for events and pedestrian-friendly activities.

Security Measures to Ensure Law and Order

Even as the Government relaxes its regulatory stance at these areas, the safety and security of those visiting these areas remains a priority. The Government will work with local stakeholders to ensure that they take more responsibility for the law-and-order situation there, including stepping up private security deployments and infrastructural security measures. The respective agencies will also work with local stakeholders to ensure responsible management of the nightlife spaces and public areas at these locations.

Conclusion

This initiative is part of the Government's wider efforts, led by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Pro-Enterprise Rules Review, to review regulations and reduce compliance burdens for businesses.

The Government will continue to work with industry stakeholders to facilitate a vibrant nightlife that Singaporeans can be proud of, and visitors can enjoy, without compromising on safety and security.

[1] The restrictions are: (i) limiting new planning permissions for bars, pubs and nightclubs while allowing existing establishments to continue operating; and (ii) limiting liquor trading hours to 3 a.m. (on the following day) on Sundays and weekdays and 4 a.m. (on the following day) on Saturdays and eve of Public Holidays.

[2] Singapore River One is a private sector-led partnership formed in 2012 to carry out placemaking for the Singapore River precinct through various activities in the areas of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay. The organisation is participating in URA’s pilot Business Improvement District programme, an initiative that supports collective efforts by precinct stakeholders to create vibrant districts around Singapore.

[3] Police will only consider applications for extended liquor trading hours from premises with the following planning permissions from URA: restaurant-hybrid use such as “Restaurant and Bar”, pubs, bars and nightclubs.

Issued by: Ministry of Trade & Industry, Ministry of National Development, and Ministry of Home Affairs

Date: 7 August 2025

## Chinese translation

> Translation model: grok_cli

### 关于驳船码头历史区、上环形路一带及克拉码头保护区振兴措施的联合新闻稿

政府已检视该区域利益相关方对驳船码头一带及邻近地区活力的反馈，作为与业界利益相关方定期接触的一部分，并将在这些地区实施一系列振兴措施。

背景

自2009年12月以来，新加坡警察部队（SPF）、新加坡旅游局（STB）与市区重建局（URA）已在驳船码头历史区及上环形路一带推出多项措施，以应对治安问题，确保这些地区对本地居民和海外游客保持安全且具吸引力。[1] 过去数年来，驳船码头的治安状况保持稳定。

配合持续提升市中心活力并为企业提供机遇的努力，政府将自2025年8月18日起，在驳船码头历史区及邻近地区实施以下为期一年的试点举措：

驳船码头历史区酒吧、酒馆及夜店的新用途更改申请

申请人可就驳船码头滨水区、环形路（Circular Road）、直落巷（Lorong Telok）及广东街（Canton Street）一带提交新的酒吧、酒馆及夜店方案，新加坡河一号（Singapore River One，SRO）[2] 将协助进行保安巡逻。在上述适用区域内获批的新夜生活用途方案，可在试点期间获准最长三年的临时准证（Temporary Permission）。

驳船码头历史区、上环形路一带及克拉码头保护区延长售酒时间

SPF将考虑来自驳船码头历史区、上环形路一带以及克拉码头保护区、并持有相关规划准证[3]的售酒持牌人申请，将周四及周五晚间的售酒时间延长至翌日凌晨4时。这是在现有售酒时间——周日及平日至翌日凌晨3时、周六及公共假期前夕至翌日凌晨4时——之上的延长。

请参阅附件中的位置图，了解上述段落所述区域。

恢复环形路封路

无车区计划于2013年首次实施，旨在活化公共空间并提升该区域活力。各机构将协助SRO的建议，恢复在周五、周六晚间以及公共假期前夕定期封闭环形路，以举办活动及便利行人的活动。

确保治安的安全措施

即使政府放宽对这些区域的监管立场，到访这些区域人士的安全与治安仍是优先事项。政府将与本地利益相关方合作，确保他们对该处治安承担更多责任，包括加强私人保安部署及基础设施安全措施。相关机构也将与本地利益相关方合作，确保这些地点的夜生活空间及公共区域得到负责任的管理。

结语

这项举措是政府更广泛努力的一部分，由跨部门促进企业规则检讨委员会主导，旨在检讨法规并减轻企业的合规负担。

政府将继续与业界利益相关方合作，促进新加坡人可引以为傲、游客可尽享的活力夜生活，同时不牺牲安全与治安。

[1] 相关限制为：（i）限制酒吧、酒馆及夜店的新规划准证，同时允许现有场所继续经营；以及（ii）将售酒时间限制为周日及平日至翌日凌晨3时、周六及公共假期前夕至翌日凌晨4时。

[2] 新加坡河一号（Singapore River One）是2012年成立的私营部门主导伙伴关系，通过在驳船码头、克拉码头及罗伯逊码头一带的各项活动，为新加坡河区域进行场所营造。该组织参与URA的商业改善区（Business Improvement District）试点计划，该计划支持区域利益相关方的集体努力，在全岛打造充满活力的区域。

[3] 警方仅会考虑来自持有以下URA规划准证场所的延长售酒时间申请：餐厅混合用途（如“餐厅及酒吧”）、酒馆、酒吧及夜店。

发布单位：贸易与工业部、国家发展部及内政部

日期：2025年8月7日