Castelo Concepts shutters 9 eateries in HK, 130 staff affected

Castelo Concepts, a dining group which operates several venues in Hong Kong and Vietnam, has shuttered nine of its restaurants across Hong Kong after its investors were forced into liquidation by creditors.

In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, Briscoe Wong Advisory's spokesperson said Briscoe is assisting with the liquidation of Castelo Investments, Bringsky Investment, Happy Dragon Hong Kong and Max Ocean Group. 

As such, nine of Castelo's restaurants had to shut their doors from 26 July, including four in Sai Ying Pun, namely Jaspa’s Kennedy Town, K Town Bar & Grill, St. Bart’s and Ollie’s Cafe. In Sai Kung, Jaspa’s, Pepperonis and Piccolos also stopped operating, while Little Lucie’s and the Wagyu Lounge shut down in Happy Valley.

However, another five Castelo restaurants will not be affected by the change as they operate under different structures, including St. Bart’s in Clear Water Bay, Tai Hang Bar & Grill in Tai Hang, and Zaks, Figo’s and MooFish in Discovery Bay.

On the other hand, 130 staff have been impacted by the shutdown, as confirmed by the company to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE. 

Established in 1992, the company directors including late restaurateur Wayne Parfitt saw the potential for a restaurant in Hong Kong that would cater for needs of the many expats living in the then small former fishing village of Sai Kung, according to the company website. "There was also a need to provide a western style dining alternative for local diners. With this in mind Parfitt opened Pepperonis, an intimate 20 seat pizza and pasta restaurant," said the company. 

Don't miss: Crostini faces heat upon ceasing operations of all retail stores
 
Castelo isn't the first food and beverage group that needed to go into liquidation. Local bakery chain Crostini has drawn flak after it suddenly halted operations for all of its retail stores on 13 September. Wong Kwong Fai, the founder of Crostini told local press that landlords had started to chase him for payment after the government’s rent deferral mechanism, which allows local businesses to delay rental payments for up to three months. 

Back in May last year, Hong Kong snack food franchise Aji Ichiban has shut down due to the rapid fall in sales under the pandemic. In a conversation with MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, a spokesperson from Aji Ichiban has confirmed that the brand’s last day of operations was 6 June 2022.

(Photo courtesy: JASPAS' Facebook)

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