A ceremony was held today at Lok Fu Plaza, one of the flagship shopping centres of The Link Management Limited (“The Link”), to mark the completion of the centre’s asset enhancement project valued at $426 million. As part of the enhancement programme, Lok Fu Plaza now has a mix of 200 quality restaurants and retailers, including UNY, the largest Japanese department store in East Kowloon; the traditional dry market “Living +”; and a fresh market. All of these tenants are part of a new one-stop “shoppertainment” experience at the centre. The centre will also be launching a series of promotional activities under the theme “Lok Fu Comes Alive with Surprise”.  It will feature Hong Kong’s first-ever ALIVE GALLERY, a state-of-the-art interactive multimedia display of classic western artworks.

 

The ceremony was officiated by Chief Executive Officer of The Link Mr George Hongchoy, Chief Financial Officer of The Link Mr Andy Cheung, pop music star Ms Miriam Yeung, Shop Tenant Representative of Lok Fu Plaza Mr Yuen Chi-ming, Managing Director of UNY (H.K.) Mr Toshio Nakamura and Chief Executive Officer of ALIVE GALLERY Mr Nam Hyun-Seung.

 

Mr Hongchoy said, “Lok Fu Plaza is the largest shopping centre of The Link, occupying an area of more than 700,000 square feet. Under the asset enhancement project, we have re-designed the shop arrangements and layouts, and linked up the three properties of the centre, which has greatly improved patronage flow and variety of shopping and dining choices. Patronage has recorded a y-o-y increase of over 40%.  Following the progressive opening of more retail shops and restaurants, about 2,000 job opportunities can be expected.”

 

Mr Hongchoy added, “By optimising the shopping centres and upgrading customer services, The Link not only improves the business environment for the shop tenants, but also increases shopping variety for customers while enhancing the local economy and employment opportunities. Up to March this year, we have completed asset enhancement projects for 20 shopping centres and one fresh market. Seven more are in progress. We plan to complete another 20 enhancement projects in the next 2 to 3 years.”

 

Lok Fu Plaza now has 40 restaurants serving various cuisines, including Chinese, Western, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Shanghainese, Japanese, Singaporean, Thai and Vietnamese at affordable prices.  There are nearly 160 retail shops selling fashion and accessories, personal care products, household items and electrical appliances, Chinese medicinal ginseng and antlers, books and stationery. We have also installed energy-saving lighting and other green features in support of the environment. Zone B of the centre is equipped with a large TV wall for playing interactive games as part of the “shoppertainment” concept. An all-weather semi-outdoor open terrace, which is one of the largest of its kind in Hong Kong, will help us organise entertainment programmes and festive celebrations.

 

The Living + dry market has also been upgraded, so that the old tenants of Lok Fu Plaza can continue serving the community. Other enhancements include relocation of the wall mural of the Eight Immortals to showcase traditional culture and “Those were the Days in Lok Fu”, an exhibition of old photos and items collected from neighbouring residents to preserve memories of the community.   Some traditional restaurants remain in the Food + area.