yeah....Things will only get better

This is the reply from Swensons'.


WE refer to the letter by Mr Nicholas Tan Wen-Yu, "Fire! But they were told to pay first before leaving" (June 24).

We have taken a very serious view of this matter and would like to assure Mr Tan and all our customers that in such a situation, our utmost concern would always be the safety and well-being of both our customers as well as our staff. This cannot be compromised.

At the time the evacuation order was made, there was already a queue at the cashier's counter. Diners were then advised that there was an evacuation.

Our managers at that point tried to clear the process of cashiering quickly and were perhaps over-zealous in trying to close as many bills as possible.

In an event of an evacuation, our procedure calls for ceasing all activities immediately and this would include payment settlement. We apologise for the distress caused to Mr Tan and all other customers who might have felt the same.

Our safety procedures, among other standard operating procedures, form part of our managerial staff training.

Nevertheless, a retraining process and a reiteration of customer safety measures is being immediately undertaken and we have made it more comprehensive and added more focus to this aspect.

We will endeavour to continue to provide a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all our diners at all times. We have certainly learnt from this experience. The management and staff at Swensen's Plaza Singapura sincerely apologise for the distress caused, and this weekend, would like to extend a waiver of service charge to all customers.

Wah Kaoz...

Swensons' have already admitted that they did not adhere to the safety regulations and SOP laid down. While "our safety procedures, among other standard operating procedures, form part of our managerial staff training, "it is obvious that their managers have failed to performed what they have been trained.

I'm not sure what the SCDF and SPF will comment on this.

If the SCDF is so particular about keeping the fire exits and passage ways clear and heavily penalises any premises that flout these rules, I'm not sure what about human blocking the exits. It will be interesting to see what Comr James Tan or LTC N Subhas has to say.