What is the SG Heritage Business Scheme?
The National Heritage Board is introducing the SG Heritage Business Scheme to celebrate and support exemplar local heritage businesses that:
- Preserve our rich heritage;
- Have strong community ties;
- Are committed to sustaining their businesses.
If your business has been a part of Singapore’s story for 30 years or more, this scheme is for you.
What is a Heritage Business?
Heritage businesses are the backbone of Singapore’s cultural landscape and provide time-honoured trades, goods, or services. They are community anchors that shape the character and identity of its neighbourhood.
These businesses have weathered decades of change, adapting while staying true to their roots. They’re more than just shops; they’re living history, offering a glimpse into our unique identities and cultures.
Why should I apply?
When a business is recognised as an SG Heritage Business, it receives several benefits:
- Brand visibility & Awareness: Promotion by government agencies and partners through various marketing and programming channels.
- Markers of Heritage Status: A storefront plaque, and supporting materials, including digital logos, for use on their social media and websites.
- Business support: Support for business improvement and transformation efforts, tailored to the business size and needs.
Who is the scheme for?
To qualify, the business must:
- Be registered and operating in Singapore;
- Be in continuous operation for at least 30 years as of 1 January 2025, excluding (i) short-term closures for holiday or other purposes, (ii) closure during the Covid-19 pandemic, not exceeding 2 years or (iii) such other closures if NHB deems appropriate to accept for consideration, at NHB’s sole discretion;
- Have at least 30% local equity held directly or indirectly by Singaporean(s) and/or Singapore PRs, determined by the ultimate individual ownership;
- Be located in the Central Area (Please refer to the following attachment for the boundary areas).
We’re looking for businesses that:
- Have remained in the same site or area for 30+ years;
- Offers traditional trades, goods and/or services (Please refer to the following attachment for a list of examples);
- Demonstrates strong community ties or impact;
- Are committed to maintaining its heritage.
Please note that fulfilling the criteria does not guarantee a successful nomination.
How to apply?
Nominate your own business, or a business that you admire. Members of the public nominating a business should seek a business’s consent before submitting a nomination.
To apply:
- Please complete the online nomination form
- Prepare the necessary supporting documents for submission. Further details on the supporting documents and accepted formats can be found in the following section.
The nomination form supports the following languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil.
Please refer to the following links for further details on the scheme and the online nomination form. For further enquiries, please contact us at sg_heritage_business@nhb.gov.sg.
Online Nomination Form
Infosheet & Submission Guidelines (English)
Infosheet & Submission Guidelines (Mandarin)
Infosheet & Submission Guidelines (Malay)
Infosheet & Submission Guidelines (Tamil)
Need Help?
We’re here to assist. If you need support with your application, contact us at sg_heritage_business@nhb.gov.sg. Provide your business details and reason for the request, and we’ll be in touch.
Useful Resources
To learn more about heritage businesses, please refer to applicants of our other grants and initiatives in the following links:
Nomination Period and Notification of Outcome
The nomination period runs from 20 March 2025 to 18 May 2025. Results will be announced by July 2025.
Contact
Email address: sg_heritage_business@nhb.gov.sg
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Nominations are to be done via our online nomination form. Please prepare the necessary supporting documents in advance before accessing the form. You may find the list of supporting documents in our submission guidelines here.
We offer additional support for self-nominations on a case-by-case basis. If your business faces challenges in using the online nomination form, please contact us at sg_heritage_business@nhb.gov.sg with the following details:
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Business details (Business name, address, registration number, contact person’s name, and phone number)
- Reasons for request, and any relevant documents to support your request, where necessary.
Incomplete submissions will not be considered for evaluation. We therefore strongly encourage members of the public to consult the relevant business before putting in an application.
No, the SG Heritage Business Scheme does not provide direct financial assistance to designated businesses. However, the scheme offers valuable support in other areas, such as increased visibility, marketing support (e.g. exclusive digital marketing assets and a designation plaque), and, where necessary, tailored business support to address specific business needs and challenges.
Please refer to our list of examples of Traditional Trades, Goods and Services. Businesses that are not predominantly involved in the transmission or preservation of traditional trades, goods and services, or offer non-culturally specific offerings, may not qualify for the scheme. These may include:
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Non-local chain restaurants
- Mass-produced retail outlets
- Technology-based services
- Non-localised professional services
We accept other verifiable documents, such as a rental agreement or real-estate purchase agreement, as proof of the business’s age on a case-by-case basis.
The Organisation Transformation Grant is a one-off grant that encourages and support heritage businesses and organisations to adopt transformative and/or innovative projects that will contribute to the sustainability and long-term viability of their business. Unlike the Designation Scheme, the Grant is available to all locally registered heritage organisations and businesses (profit or non-profit).