Deep Dive Podcast: Should we preserve heritage businesses which are not viable?

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Here’s an extract from the radio.

Crispina Robert:
Speaking about support, when Thambi Magazine ( Store ) closed, there was a lot of shock and people were really upset. And then abruptly, he had so many people visiting his shop. Some critics online were saying that that’s a little bit dishonest, because only when the business is closing, and finally you’re getting all terrible and unhappy. But you never went to buy anything from him while he was there for all those times. But when you talk about help, do you also mean that we have to assist or we should be conscious that, hey, this is unique, we need to help?

Edmond Wong:
Together with the National Heritage Board, the government is playing a really great role in terms of identifying heritage businesses, raising awareness, and giving them the opportunity to air their stories.

Crispina Robert:
Do you believe that people should invest in their own identity and take a stand for it? &nbsp,

Steven Chia:
Basically to be honest, Thambi is a magazine shop. Do we identify him as a company operating in the past? &nbsp,

Crispina Robert:
Yeah, he’s been around for 80 times. &nbsp,

Steven Chia:
But just because he’s been in that nook for 80 decades… &nbsp,

Crispina Robert:
But it is ( a ) part of Holland Village. That’s the history of the area, correct? &nbsp,

Steven Chia:
So therefore, he should remain just because he was part of the original infrastructure or ( one of ) the original tenants? &nbsp,

Crispina Robert: &nbsp,
I think thus. &nbsp,

Dr Lye Kit Ying: &nbsp,
That’s something I do increase with my students in class. If we push a group of people or a business or even a group to remain stagnant, even at great financial expenses, only for our own pleasure? To feeling good, or to feel less guilty? since we may grasp that the world’s identity is a living and breathing thing. Additionally, the people who are protecting and conserving history are also living and breathing. We need to understand that we ca n’t be that selfish and say, okay, you stay there, so that I have my sense of place and identity. But you do n’t make money.