The restrictions on use of industrial buildings in Hong Kong is threatening the survival of premises such as restaurants, gyms, artisan shops, art galleries, learning centres and performance venues. Due to space constraints and soaring rents, many businesses have moved into old high-rise blocks built for industrial use. While their operations may breach land lease conditions or safety rules, they are testimony of adaptation and innovation. As long as they do no pose severe threats to public safety, there is no reason why the government should not give them more leeway.

The imminent closure of Ping Pong Savantas, a table tennis training centre in a Tai Wai industrial building, is just the latest example of how rigid rules and enforcement can kill off legitimate activities and businesses.

Together with two centres also located inside industrial buildings elsewhere, the three venues have been training 14 of the 32 members of the city’s youth ping pong team and some 1,320 students from 33 schools. But the centre has been told to shut down before Monday, after it repeatedly ignored warnings by the Lands Department over the past nine months.