Shek O BBQ rental stalls collect signatures to stay open after Hong Kong officials order closure

Customers and beachgoers voice support for long-serving vendors and sign petition asking government to reconsider, but no sign of softening

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Liu’s BBQ stalls at Shek O Beach on Saturday. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 10:00am, 4 Mar 2018Updated: 10:32am, 4 Mar 2018

One of four vendors accused of illegally occupying government land for decades to run a barbecue business at scenic Hong Kong beach Shek O launched a signature campaign on Saturday against a closure order.

Liu’s BBQ, which closed its doors on Thursday along with three other operators, decided to open over the weekend to complete its last bookings, including one placed about a month ago to celebrate Holi, a Hindu festival known as the Festival of Colours.

Liu’s BBQ is seeking to stay in business after decades in operation. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department ordered the four stalls to remove their property and vacate the area by Monday or face a fine of HK$500,000 (US$63,800) and six months in jail.

The operator of Liu’s BBQ said it would close after Sunday. It started collecting signatures from customers and beachgoers on Saturday for a petition asking officials to allow it to stay in business.

Sources said the four shops – each family-run and located on the east side of the beach – could trace their roots as far back as the 1920s.