Hong Kong's Metropol Restaurant to shut down in September after 35 years
A Metropol staff member confirmed to HKFP over the phone on Tuesday that September 27 would be the restaurant's last day.
The Chinese restaurant, opened in 1990, is located in the United Centre building, Admiralty. It can accommodate a banquet of 100 tables and has a seating capacity of over 1,200 people, according to its website.
Citing unnamed sources, local broadcaster TVB reported on Tuesday morning that the restaurant would shut down and its property would be put up for sale.
Metropol is run by Heichinrou, a catering group named after its first Chinese restaurant, which opened in the Japanese city of Yokohama in 1884.
Hong Kong media reported in 2022 that the company closed the 138-year-old restaurant in Yokohama amidst slow business during the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a notice issued by Heichinrou in May, the company ceased all business activities in catering, shopping malls, and e-commerce in Japan and filed for bankruptcy with the court in Tokyo.
'We deeply apologise for the unexpected situation, which we could not inform you about in advance,' the notice read. 'Although our business will cease on May 20, 2025, we hope that Heichinrou, which has been loved by many since its beginning in Yokohama Chinatown, will remain a fond memory in your hearts.'
Another Metropol Restaurant in Ma On Shan was also shut down, although it was unclear when.
Apart from Metropol Restaurant in Admiralty, the company currently runs two other Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong – one in Diamond Hill and the other in Kwun Tong.
Business closures
Hong Kong's catering industry has been hit by a wave of business closures in recent months.
In late June, bakery chain Taipan Bread & Cakes, which created the famous snowy mooncakes, closed all its stores after 41 years in operation, reportedly owing unpaid salaries and rent.
In early June, Hong Kong catering group King Parrot informed its staff about its closure, without settling severance pay.
In May, chain restaurant Ocean Empire announced the closure of all its branches, putting an end to its 33-year history.
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