The premises on Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung Photo: HK01
If you ever wondered why the shop next to Jaspa’s in the main square in Sai Kung has been boarded up for a few years, the intrepid reporters at Chinese media Hong Kong 01 have the answer. it was previously occupied by AliOli.
A tenant at 11 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung, discovered after signing a lease that two of the shop’s main structural walls had been modified, one of which had been breached. Documents obtained by Hong Kong 01 reporters from the Buildings Department show that the tenant originally intended to operate a restaurant, but was unable to obtain permission from the Buildings Department due to the structural wall alterations, and was also unable to obtain a restaurant licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
The illegal alterations may affect the adjacent and upper premises
After several months of argument, it is understood that the tenant and landlord have reached a settlement on the lease issue and “For Rent” signs have recently appeared on the hoardings. It turns out that the Buildings Department had already opposed the tenant’s restaurant licence application in 2023 for the same reason, but had not taken any action, meaning that the Buildings Department ignored the breach for at least two years.
According to a letter from the Buildings Department obtained by reporters, the department indicated that, upon comparison with the approved plans, evidence of alterations to the structural walls was found. The Buildings Department stated that unless the structural walls are repaired in accordance with the approved plans, permission will not be granted for tenants to apply for restaurant licences.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department received licence applications from restaurants in 2023 and 2025. The Buildings Department had already objected to the proposed plans at that time, but did not require anyone to restore the structural walls.
The full story in HK01, in Chinese, can be found here
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