I AM writing to express my disappointment at the current state of the F& B venue at the Singapore Botanic Gardens near the Tanglin Gate.

Originally, it was the Taman Serasi Food Court, successor of the Taman Serasi Hawker Centre that was demolished due to the park’s expansion.

The hawker centre was a treasured oasis for decades, offering delicious and inexpensive local fare in the prime district, patronised by park visitors and those who live or work nearby.

Its loss was only partially offset by the food court which opened without some of the old favourites. Nonetheless, it continued to serve affordable meals with ample patronage.

It was most unfortunate that in 2009, the lease was awarded to a new operator, World Food Group, which implemented a poorly considered concept of the F& B outlet.

The poorly illuminated interior, compounded by inadequate signs, made it challenging for customers to know what was available. The constant change of menu indicated inexperienced vendors determining by trial and error what to offer.

When I gave my feedback last January, the Gardens acknowledged the issues and asked for patience with the new operator’s teething problems.

As a regular visitor, I observed that the outlet continued to flounder with half-hearted futile attempts to attract customers.

Before the end of the year, the outlet ceased operations and World Food Group was in liquidation.

It has been six months and an empty shell stands where what was once a popular spot with park visitors, nearby residents and workers.

Bring back spirit of

the old Taman Serasi

Letter from Chen Junyi

It’s not that we don’t