Nanyang Old Coffee Sued For Over $77,000 In Backdated Rent For Al Fresco Area By Chinatown Business Association
The dispute concerns Nanyang Old Coffee's use of an outdoor dining area along Smith Street, where it placed tables and chairs for customers.
The Chinatown Business Association (CBA) is seeking more than $77,700 in backdated rent from local kopi joint Nanyang Old Coffee over its use of an outdoor dining area.
The space in question is a sheltered walkway outside Nanyang Old Coffee's flagship outlet, at the corner of Smith Street and South Bridge Road. The cafe has set up tables and chairs for its customers in this area, which has been in use for years. But according to the association, the area is not theirs to use – at least not for free.
Nanyang Old Coffee at Smith Street
Photo: CNA/Koh Wan Ting
"Our repeated attempts to reach out were consistently ignored”
In a lawyer's letter seen by CNA, the Chinatown Business Association is claiming $77,724.18 in rent, backdated to October 1, 2024, with a monthly rate of $8,636.02.
The association, a non-profit made up of business and community reps, took over the management of the Smith Street shophouses in 2024 after winning the area’s tender.
In a statement, the Chinatown Business Association said it first reached out to Nanyang Old Coffee in October 2024.
"Unfortunately, our repeated attempts to reach out and follow up were consistently ignored," it said.
"Despite multiple attempts to resolve the matter amicably, including a formal letter requesting the removal of furniture and potted plants from the outdoor dining area, the unauthorised use of the space has continued, even so, as of June 22.
"As such, the Chinatown Business Association has had to take the necessary steps to address this issue," it added.
Photo: Instagram/@nnn_sglife
CBA followed up with cafe owner thrice
The association said it even offered to sublet the space to Nanyang Old Coffee founder and manager Lim Eng Lam, but the offer was not taken up. It said it followed up with Mr Lim three more times in February and March 2025 "but these attempts were ignored".
The association added that they’re not stopping the café from running its business or forcing them to become tenants – they just want the rent paid, as "required of all other tenants".
Photo: Google/Nanyang Old Coffee
Nanyang Old Coffee’s boss disagrees with rental demand
Mr Lim confirmed that the association had been in touch with him over the issue since October last year. He told CNA he disagreed with the rental demand and had sought clarification from the authorities regarding the rent issue.
Chinatown Business Association said any proceeds from the lawsuit would be donated.
A case conference between both parties was held at the State Courts on Thursday (June 26), where both parties were to discuss the matter.
Source: CNA/wt(cy)
The original version of this story first appeared in CNA.
For more CNA stories, visit https://www.cnalifestyle.com/.
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