AJ Halkes

People just don’t care enough about bicycles in Hong Kong By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law People just don’t care enough about bicycles. But they can be recycled by a social enterprise, so why do we just scrap them? We could even raid them for parts. If anyone wants to connect the dots and do […]

Lucky postbox number eight is a “non functional” part of Hong Kong‘s cultural heritage! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Lucky postbox number eight is a “non-functional” part of Hong Kong‘s cultural heritage; are we now featuring things like this quite enough? Strolling round Sai Ying Poon the other night, I bumped into this heritage

There is a reason why manufacturers pricing products is a good thing; to stop retail gouging. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law We made these crisps ourselves in the 70s.. but why are they £1.76 (30% more) in Hong Kong? There is a reason why manufacturers’ pricing products is a good thing: to stop retail

Why did COYOTE fail or just close, why has it not been snapped up? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law What went on? Why did COYOTE fail or just close? Why has it not been snapped up? Some thoughts as to times, change, and of course the F&B landscape, if you’re interested. Apologies for a

On yer bike or it will be seized! Cycling – New Territories HK By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law On yer bike or it will be seized! The New Territories of Hong Kong has a long history of bicycling; yet I’m seeing notices stating parked bicycles are in unlawful occupation of government land, but why?

A small or big investment in an F&B business in Hong Kong may or may not be a good idea. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law One of the most visible and exciting openings in Hong Kong’s F&B scene (back in the day!) came with an incredible buzz, followed by an equally fascinating decline. The

The decision that allowed me to embark on my first commercial business venture! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law By 1974, I had my first business and almost got thrown out of A-level art by a difficult teacher named Mrs Jessup. She wanted me to focus on drawing bits of wood, cloth, and bottles, yet

Why invest in Hong Kong food and beverage right now .. and perhaps why not .. Part 1 of 3 By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I’ve seen people invest because they enjoy eating and drinking, loved a restaurant, wanted to back a chef to go solo, or got taken by a fancy spreadsheet, some

Are Hong Kong banks quietly fuelling the decline of our older residential neighbourhoods? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law When homeowners downsize or sell, they often accept lower prices, wanting to move quickly. The same applies to those upgrading. But banks often benchmark entire buildings against isolated low transactions, dragging down valuations for an area.

Why BIG BIG RICE reflects what the market wants, and Pret a Manger is delivering By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Why BIG BIG RICE reflects what the market wants, and Pret a Manger is delivering. A survival strategy for a coffee shop, if ever I saw one. You should take note. Evolution in F&B

Asian Club Managers Conference Hong Kong 2025 By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I was privileged to speak at the Asian Club Managers Conference on Tuesday. In Hong Kong, a supportive association or club can be invaluable, whether professional, industry-focused focused or interest-based. Private members’ clubs and Hong Kong associations face the ongoing challenge of

Hong Kong is full of car treasures! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law https://hklawyer-ajhalkes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Daimler-old-Car-in-HK.mp4 Can you guess what this is before the end of the video reveal? Should I try to buy it? Hong Kong is full of car treasures, and while expanding my gravel bike training, I stumbled upon this project. The question is:

As an established bar operator seeks a new site In Hong Kong an “easy in” Lan Kwai Fong bar opening emerges! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law As an established bar operator seeks a new site in Hong Kong, an “easy in” Lan Kwai Fong bar opening emerges for someone ready to seize a fully

Who says all F&B is struggling in Hong Kong? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law The challenge is not that the market is dead. The challenge is having the right product, the right location, the right people, the right PR, and yes, the right timing. I keep seeing new launches popping up everywhere. Look at

Is it cider if there’s no alcohol ? Or is it a false trade description? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Words have common meanings: beer, wine (and cider) are defined and commonly known. And for centuries, we have understood what beer or cider or wine is. Now, if you look up cider, it is

My mother’s kitchen timer shows time slipping away, you’re overcooked if you ignore it. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law A loud reminder, time passes fast, so make the best of it. If you’ve lost track of time, get a manual kitchen timer, wind it up, and invest manual labour in the process. Connect physically

Negotiating with a Japanese government agency taught me never to assume you know how the other side thinks. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Our logic and approach don’t always translate into effective communication because that demands understanding the recipient deeply. In a negotiation with a Taiwanese-born executive raised in America, treating him as anything

Can You Beat a Prosecution for Damaging a Hong Kong Car Park? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law If it happens, what is your next move? Where is the rabbit? No lawyer gets points for giving away trade secrets. Like magicians, they get paid for rabbits pulled out of hats, preferably with a bit of

Thailand does it, Japan does it, out of respect and care; can we “fast track” over 70s at our airport and border crossings? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I’m impressed with the Hong Kong government‘s special lines in places like the transport department, so people who are a little older can enjoy swift services.

Should Hong Kong Create Its Own Mega Diagonal Crossing like Shibuya? Here’s Why It Might Be Time. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law How about a Hong Kong mega-crossing for video shareable iconography and everyday efficiency that rivals Tokyo? Here’s how. For years in Central, we’ve been using an informal diagonal crossing method in at

HERE THAI MARKET opening on Wellington Street shows no shortage of people to take up spaces provided the deal is right! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law HERE THAI MARKET opening on Wellington Street shows no shortage of people to take up spaces provided the deal is right. The big advantage is probably a cheaper make-over

At 1000 customers an hour McDonald’s Hong Kong flagship is set to become the busiest on the planet, F&B is coming back in the city! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Recently reopened after a massive refurbishment, the Admiralty Centre store has long been McDonald’s innovation and testing hub in Hong Kong, used for automation,

I Explored 3COINS in Japan—Now It’s Set to Launch in Hong Kong as Part of a Rapid Japanese Retail Comeback By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law 3COINS in Hong Kong signals retail is on the rebound, at least at the bottom of the value/price chain, and it isn’t just a one-off; many more are coming.

Pub with no beer? Depressed by Gen Z coffee discos and non-drinking? If zero alcohol is the new normal embrace it! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Zero alcohol drinks need no liquor licence, so why not start from zero and work your way up? Every major beer brand has a low- or zero-alcohol beer

Insomnia, Simon Squibb, crying in your beer, Law Society regulations, help, timing and collaboration is the takeaway. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law When my law firm was representing Insomnia in Lan Kwai Fong, we also knew Simon Squibb, who went on to great heights with HelpBnk after selling his HK company and relocating to

AI and Legal Advice: When “Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough it’s disaster! By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Not too long ago, I saw disaster loom on asking ChatGPT questions specific to restaurant and liquor licensing practice in Hong Kong; the answers were BAD! The responses were specifically wrong in multiple ways, missing key issues,

Why Does Hong Kong Have Hundreds of Kilometres of Railings and Barriers? What Are They Actually For? By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law I’ve never quite understood why Hong Kong insists on fencing off the public at every possible opportunity. Barriers line pavements, walkways, and especially where there might be the slightest chance of interaction

Can this SoHo F&B site succeed where so many have failed? Yes but it depends on a lot of factors. By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law It’s been reported that Thai Pai Dong is taking over the corner site opposite Staunton’s, at the junction of the Mid-Levels Escalator and Staunton Street. One of my early

Can We Please Have “Provisional Outside F&B Seating” in Hong Kong Now By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Between 1989 and 2000, I developed the concept of “provisional restaurant licensing,” and by 2001, it had become a reality. In 2025, it is overdue to apply the same concept to outside seating accommodation (OSA). I advised

Hong Kong is going “all in” on pedestrian safety with a sparkly new approach to road crossings By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law Hot on the heels of the flashing red ground-level lighting alerts, a new wave of pedestrian crossing upgrades is underway. Not only are we seeing old-school orange globe lights, but they now