HONG KONG Outdoor event areas in Hong Kong are facing an uncertain future following a legal review of the commercial use of public spaces. Venues that have previously made use of adjacent public spaces for events and al fresco dining can no longer legally servefood and beverages in these areas.

Claire Saunders, managing director of MCI Hong Kong, said: “The new laws haven’t affected any of our events yet, but it would be a shame to no longer be able to make use of some of the city’s best venues.”

Affected venues include popular event venues Dragon-i, The Pawn rooftop and the entire outdoor rooftop area of IFC Mall. This area is of particular concern to the city’s events organisers as it houses The Box, G-Bar and Isola, which regularly hosts events for companies including Christian Dior and HSBC.

While the focus is largely concentrated on al fresco dining, the weakened ability of affected venues to cater for business events is significant collateral damage given Hong Kong’s already limited supply of outdoor venues.

Robert Rogers, president of the Hong Kong chapter of industry association, the International Special Events Society, said: “If Hong Kong is serious about attracting international events then it must show leadership and engage the events industry in dialogue so a solution can be reached.”