appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Lo Hoi-ying

Hong Kong will allow dogs into 1,000 restaurants starting on July 9, under a scheme that caterers say could lift business by up to 20 per cent.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on Friday announced the scheme’s roll-out date after holding a ballot to select 1,000 restaurants from the 1,615 eligible applications.
The licensed restaurants are evenly distributed across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories.
Wan Chai had the highest number of successful applicants, with licences awarded to 111 eateries, followed by Central and Western districts and then Yau Tsim Mong.
The 1,000 restaurants awarded a licence included 450 non-Chinese restaurants, more than 300 Chinese restaurants, 50 bars and over 150 coffee shops.
Lawmaker Chan Hoi-yan, who chairs the panel on food safety and environmental hygiene, officiated the draw in front of dozens of members of the public, including eager applicants hoping to find out whether they had made the cut.

Aki Chan, co-owner of Uluru Cafe in Wan Chai and one of the successful applicants, said he expected business to increase by 15 to 20 per cent once the scheme was launched.
“Business will improve especially on Saturdays and Sundays, because dog owners often do not leave Hong Kong and tend to patronise local businesses,” he said.
Chan said the competition was stiffer than expected and that his team would have been disappointed had they lost the ballot.
His cafe was penalised last year for allowing pets and risked a seven-day suspension if it reoffended, forcing it to turn away diners with pets.
“With the new licence, we are hoping business will recover to previous levels,” he said.
Chan added that the restaurant had arranged to separate pets and their owners from diners who were afraid of dogs and would allocate seating in advance to accommodate dog owners without disturbing other customers.
Employees who disliked dogs would be reassigned, while those comfortable with them would be trained to handle situations such as noisy pets, he said.
Pier 1929 at Wan Chai Pier, a restaurant overlooking Victoria Harbour, was another successful applicant.
The restaurant was located on the promenade and had a nearby dog park, said representative Queenie Wong, adding that she believed the new licence would attract pet owners.
“But we still need to work out details such as zoning and how to ensure compliance with the requirements,” she said.
Others were less fortunate.

Billy Fong, who runs Three by One Coffee Roastery in Hung Hom, failed to secure a licence despite applying on the first day.
Fong said he had expected more than 3,000 applicants to apply for the licences, adding that he planned to try again in the next round, which is scheduled to launch in six months.
“Because my shop has an outdoor area, many dog owners want to bring their pets inside, especially during the hot summer months,” he said.
He also called on authorities to consider allocating a fixed number of licences by eatery type and district to ensure a fairer distribution.
Looking ahead, Fong said he would learn from the first batch of operators, so he could improve his cafe and observe how the scheme’s initial teething issues were resolved over the first six months.
Lawmaker Chan said that while some caterers left Friday’s ballot feeling disappointed, more places would be available in the coming months.
Applicants who failed to complete the paperwork on time would forfeit their place, which would be offered to those on the waiting list, she added.
Successful applicants must bring their approval letter and original restaurant licence to one of the offices listed in the letter by June 24 and pay HK$140 (US$18).


2 infants in Hong Kong confirmed severely infected with Covid-19 just days apart

How student athletes can balance sports and schoolwork – and avoid burnout

Paul Chan praises blockbuster film about Teochew community during local premiere

District councillor linked to Tai Po fire resigns as adviser to second estate

Hong Kong society

1,000 restaurants to welcome dogs on July 9 under new scheme

Diners bring their pets to a restaurant at a pet-friendly shopping centre in Sha Tin. Photo: Eugene Lee

Co-owner of Uluru Cafe says he expects business to improve especially on Saturdays and Sundays. Photo: Edmond So

Lawmaker Chan Hoi-yan has said that while some caterers left Friday’s ballot feeling disappointed, more places will be available in the coming months. Photo: Karma Lo

Diners bring their pets to a restaurant in West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Eugene Lee

‘Overwhelming’: Hong Kong’s dog-friendly restaurant scheme twice oversubscribed

People with their pets at a restaurant in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Sam Tsang

Catering sector lawmaker Jonathan Leung says he anticipated strong demand for the scheme as the restaurant business was undergoing a transition. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong’s dog-friendly restaurant scheme receives 700 applications on first day

Hong Kong’s dog-friendly dining scheme got off to a strong start with 700 applications for licences on the first day. Photo: Dickson Lee

Depending on demand and feedback from caterers, a second batch of licences could be opened for registration by the end of the year. Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

Society

Restaurants say they are expecting 20 per cent business boost after securing dog-friendly licences


Restaurants say they are expecting 20 per cent business boost after securing dog-friendly licences.


Pets

Pets in Hong Kong

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

1,000 restaurants to welcome dogs on July 9 under new scheme

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Restaurants say they are expecting 20 per cent business boost after securing dog-friendly licences

Restaurants say they are expecting 20 per cent business boost after securing dog-friendly licences