Transforming Hong Kong's Food & Beverage Industry with an easy access Outdoor Seating system.

Imagine a bustling city where it’s easy to operate outdoor seating to breathe new life into the food and beverage industry, providing a much-needed boost to businesses.

Hong Kong’s outdoor seating accommodation (OSA) provisions saw high hopes, but the reality of the process has been less than ideal. The 2024 audit report revealed there are still significant issues from long delays in applications to systemic flaws hindering progress; simply put the multi-party system is too complicated.

Hong Kong land use control sees the government in the driver’s seat, however, a lengthy consultation process involving various departments and other parties adds time and complexity; and this has consistently created hurdles.

I believe there is hope, if we re-set and refine the OSA system to ensure it operates smoothly. We can easily create a vibrant, culturally rich outdoor community that attracts tourists and enhances local life. We can easily have a fun and dynamic eating and drinking vibe as Hong Kong has had in the past.

It’s now time for the F&B industry to push for a system that works swiftly which is pro-business and one that makes Hong Kong an even more attractive and viable city destination.

Imagine if once the heat of summer is gone, we see a boom in outdoor dining; we know that having people outside also boosts health and well-being. Our richly textured city doesn’t need people confined to vast shopping malls or dining and snacking behind closed doors.