Three food-and-beverage providers have been named for Hong Kong’s Tai Kwun Central Police Station compound, which is being converted into a heritage and art centre.
A partnership between the government and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the former law-enforcement complex is being run by Tai Kwun (meaning “big station”), a not-for-profit organisation set up by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
The three new providers, which join five others already appointed by Tai Kwun, are:
- Lock Cha Tea House, which will serve Chinese tea bought directly from farmers as well as vegetarian dim-sum. The 150 sqm tea house, LockCha Te’atelier, will be on the ground floor of the Headquarters Block, facing the Parade Ground. The company already has teahouses at heritage sites – the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware in Hong Kong Park and Jao Tsung-I Academy.
- Long Chim (Hong Kong) will run a casual dining restaurant serving Thai street fare under the direction of Thai cuisine authority/chef David Thompson. It will be called Long Chim, which means “to come and taste”, and occupy 450 sqm at the Armoury building, also facing the Parade Ground.
- Aqua Restaurant Group’s Cornhill Limited will take up residence on the first floor of the Headquarters Block, in the former home of the police officers’ mess. The 920 sqm space will work as two linked “sister” restaurants showcasing the Western and Eastern faces of classic Hong Kong.
In tune with Tai Kwun’s requirement for outlets to support leisure activities at the compound, Lock Cha Tea House will host tea appreciation classes, demonstrations and workshops, Chinese music tea concerts and other cultural activities, while Long Chim and Cornhill are also developing plans for cultural programs.
Tai Kwun CPS director Euan Upston says its aim is to offer diverse cuisine types at a broad price range at the revitalised compound.
Other outlets announced over the past few months include a social enterprise cafe, a noodle shop, an integrated cultural and leisure offering at the magistracy building, a French cafe and a small bar/restaurant.
The police will also set up a service centre at the Headquarters Block, and more individual outlets will be announced throughout this year.
