Supporters of the Man Yuen noodle shop in Central are preparing to make a last-ditch stand to prevent the demolition of the abandoned dai pai dong. They may try to stop workers from moving in today to pull down the 80-year-old Elgin Street structure, amid calls for the government to turn it into a tourist attraction. Li Kin-keung, one of the operators who have since opened a new shop across the street, said he learned of the demolition plans from other food stall owners. 'Food inspectors told a dai pai dong owner not to open on December 28 because the old noodle shop would be demolished and they were worried that dust and dirt might affect them,' Mr Li said. 'I hope the government will not pull the food stall down. The old noodle shop can be turned into a tourist spot instead. The shop is unique and special in Hong Kong food culture.' Mr Li and his brother were forced to shut the old stall after the owner died, as government rules prevent a fixed-pitch street food licence being passed on to anyone but a spouse. Southern district councillor Shek Kwok-keung, a member of the Historic Culture Concern Group, said they might hold a sit-in or protest today. 'We might also prevent workers who are sent by government departments from getting close to the shop,' he said. The group has written seeking help from Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Lands Department and Home Affairs Department. 'We have also phoned up some concerned departments, but it seems that their attitude was very strong and firm. They told us the old shop would be demolished for sure,' Mr Shek said. Although Mr Li moved his business to a fixed location opposite the old stall early this month, he still misses the shabby shop where long wooden benches were placed beside a steaming stove. His daughter, Tifa Li Wing-man, said Mr Li often stood at the door of his new, white-tiled, air-conditioned shop and looked fondly over at the old stall. 'I can tell my father misses the old shop a lot just by looking at his face, as he always looks at it when he is not busy,' she said. Historic Culture Concern Group spokesman Roy Lam Tung said they had interviewed about 200 residents in the district and nearly 90 per cent hoped the government would preserve the shop to protect the city's street-food culture. 'We began carrying out the survey when we learned the news last week that the shop would be pulled down. We will continue to collect more views,' he said. The Legislative Council in November passed a motion urging the government to review the licensing policy - dating back to 1970 - that forced the Man Yuen noodle shop to close in July after the licensee, Wong Kwong-hing, died in May.