STOMPer saveunionfarm was very sad to hear that the 'Chee Pow Kai', or paper-wrapped chicken, at Union Farm would be closing down after Chinese New Year as the parcel of land on which its kitchen is built belongs to the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). It wants the land back to expand its campus.

The restaurant, famous for its paper-wrapped chicken with a 60-year history, will be closing its doors on Feb 19 as the tertiary institute wants its land back by March 7. The other plot of land is owned by Union Farm's landlord.

Mr Chia Kar Wing, 49, is the current owner of the restaurant. The kitchen was built in 1953 on that plot of land by his father after getting the go-ahead from the current landlord's father.

'That's the most important part of the restaurant. No kitchen means no restaurant.' Mr Chia told The Straits Times. A new kitchen would take six to nine months to build and would cost about $250,000. Other options include finding a new place, getting approval for a temporary kitchen or closing down altogether.

SIM had extended the date for the return of the land to March this year. 'We are unable to make any more concessions, which will further delay the completion of our campus development and impact current and future SIM students,' the spokesman told The Straits Times.

Said the STOMPer, who also sent in a photo of a farewell note left by its current owner:

"Save Union Farm.

"I just learnt that the authorities are taking away the land that once held the famous 'Chee Pow Kai'...

"I am really sad to hear this news. This place has more than 50 years of history and the authorities are taking it away.

"For those that have been here before, you will know that you will never find another place like this in Singapore.

"Can any authority help to save this place as this is really the last place in Singapore that you can have the 'kampong' feel?"