Hong Kong watchdog logs 171 complaints involving HK$6.4 million over Physical gym’s closure

Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has recorded more than 170 complaints involving nearly HK$6.4 million (US$821,100) over the “temporary shutdown” of a major fitness chain, while a lawmaker has urged authorities to investigate the closure.

Physical Health Centre announced the decision on Friday after being in business for 38 years, leaving the jobs of more than 700 people up in the air and triggering complaints from angry customers to the Consumer Council.

But the chain also said that talks were under way between a new investor and landlords to reopen existing gyms, as they blamed the decision to close on high rents.

The council said on Saturday that it was highly concerned by the move and had received 171 related complaints as of noon, with the amount involved in the cases reaching nearly HK$6.4 million.

The consumer watchdog also urged the company to contact its customers as soon as possible about unredeemed services.