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SCMP Reporter

The doors of luxury beauty centre Spa Retreat remained firmly shut after its managers broke their promise to reopen for business yesterday - leaving dozens of paid-up members and staff in the dark about its future.

The beauty and health-care centre in Duddell Street, Central, closed suddenly on August 12 citing air-conditioning problems.

Neither staff nor customers were told about the closure of the centre, which charges new customers at least $20,000.

It is not known whether Spa Retreat will pay its 30 staff or refund customers. No one answered calls yesterday at the centre or at its owner, STJ Investment (HK) Ltd.

At the time of the closure, the spa's director, Sharon Tan Quek-lin, told the South China Morning Post  it would reopen on August 31. But yesterday the spa was deserted.

About 30 STJ Investment staff have gone to the Labour Department for help, claiming they have not been paid since May, a department spokesman said.

'It will take six to eight weeks to process their claims. We'll try to contact the owner. If the company went into bankruptcy, the staff could claim insolvency funds. If the owner simply refuses to show up, we will consider taking legal action,' the spokesman said.

A Spa Retreat employee said earlier the air-conditioning had been working without problem.

Member Ku Wing-yan, who joined the centre last July and still has $16,000 in unused credit, said she had gone to the police.

'The police said they are aware of the situation and are collecting information. They can do nothing because, so far, they are still not sure whether the shop-owner has run away with our money or if she is really having problems with the air-conditioning,' she said.

Ms Ku complained there was not enough protection for customers. 'It looks as though the owner has run away, but as long as we can't prove it beyond doubt, the police will not take action,' she said.

Many other customers were still smarting yesterday. 'Can anyone tell me if Spa Retreat has closed down or has it moved to a new location? I still have credit with them,' read one message in an Internet chat-room.

Hang Lung Development Company Limited, which rents the shop to Spa Retreat, confirmed the company was still on its list of tenants, although it had not paid rent.

Elina Lee, Hang Lung's corporate communication manager, said: 'Our colleagues in the Leasing Department have tried to contact the tenant without success.'

She refused to say how much the Spa Retreat owed in rent, but said the company would consult lawyers to decide its next move.

'We will give the tenant a certain period of time. After that, we will see what legal action we can take,' said Ms Lee.

Spa Retreat, which opened in 1997, promoted itself as one of Asia's best spas, offering more than 100 treatments and packages. Each member had to pay at least $20,000 before joining. Non-members could pay $480 for a 25-minute spa treatment.



Beauty spa stays shut despite vow to reopen