FREQUENT raids and police patrolling have turned off pub-goers from patronising the Duxton Hill area at Tanjong Pagar.

Over the past two years, around 50 pubs in the area, notoriously known as the "new Joo Chiat or Geylang" were closed down due to vice raids.

Duxton Hill Click on thumbnail to view
Photos: ST and TNP

Such closures have affected businesses in the area and according to Shin Min Daily News, businesses dropped by about 70 per cent.

In its heyday, the Duxton Hill area saw about 110 pubs and bars in 2008, compared to today's figure of only 60 nightspots that are still operating.

A spokesperson from the Singapore Police Force told the Chinese evening dailies that the main reason behind the closure of so many pubs in that area is due to vice trade.

Police conducted anti-vice raids thrice a week and in 2008, seven Filipino women were fined and arrested for exposing their breasts.

This is just one of the few examples of court cases that gave a glimpse of the action going on in the pubs.

Mr Cai, an owner of a pub at Duxton Hill for seven years, told the newspaper that the area was "colourful and vibrant in 2005", but has since died down drastically.

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"Cars were parked along both sides of the roads and the valet parking business was doing well."

"Pubs plying the vice trade started sprouting up and that was when there was frequent trouble and fights," said Mr Cai.

"Police started to patrol the area and business went down seven fold", continued Mr Cai.

Although the area has been cleaned up, the bad image seems to have stuck.

Another pub owner told Shin Min Daily News that the only bustling days were Fridays and it is normally very quiet during the week.

Shop rental rates at the Duxton Hill area has also plunged - two years ago, the rent for a 2,100 square metre shop would cost $21,000. Today, it only costs $8,000 to rent the entire space.

Mr Cai was told by regular customers at his pub, that when they told their friends they were going to Duxton Hill for a drink, it was assumed they were patronising a sleaze joint or seeking female company.

Mr Liang, 58, a manager in a shipping company, frequents Duxton Hill for over 20 years and was often questioned by friends during 2005 to 2008.

"I'm a regular in this area and have a good relationship with the pub owners.

"I know they're not running a vice business, so I have no qualms in coming here to chat and drink," said Mr Liang.