Source : Straits Times - 30 Jan 2009
LIANG Court Shopping Centre has become the fourth mall here to offer rent-free space to voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), as part of a government plan that allows malls to add retail space while helping non-profit groups.
The River Valley Road mall will offer up to 5,000 sq ft to house three VWOs, though the tenants have not yet been confirmed.
Liang Court is the latest mall to join the Civic & Community Institution scheme, which was started by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2003.
Normally, if mall owners want to build more retail space than originally allotted, they have to demolish office space.
But under this scheme, they can increase their retail space if the office space is donated rent-free to community groups. Tenants have to pay only a service fee. The other participating malls are Bishan Junction 8, Jurong Point Shopping Centre and Tiong Bahru Plaza.
Ms Ang Bee Lian, chief executive of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), said such spaces make sense from a business point of view, as they generate traffic for the mall.
But she said uptake of these spaces has slowed as non-profit organisations are uncertain about their economic situation.
The NCSS is urging the VWOs intending to take up space at Liang Court to share resources to save money, much like what non-profit groups at Tiong Bahru Plaza have done.
The Social Service Hub, which opened there last week, now houses seven VWOs. By sharing facilities such as a reception area, meeting rooms and a pantry, the groups are able to fit into the 10,000 sq ft space.
The NCSS said the hub costs $1.12 million but would have cost $750,000 more if facilities were not shared.
The VWOs also save about $127,500 a month on rent and pay only a combined service charge of $10,300 per month.
The hub also allows VWOs to share expertise. Ms Chee Wai Yee, the executive director of the Children’s Cancer Foundation which is located in the new hub, said that instead of employing a psychologist for follow-up services, she can now outsource the work to another VWO in the hub.
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