Failed Page One Hong Kong bookstore hit with fresh writ for unpaid bills

Shuttered bookstore chain Page One faces a fresh lawsuit from a publishing group for allegedly failing to pay for HK$1.28 million worth of books despite repeated demands.

CITE (HK) Publishing Group said in a High Court writ filed on Friday that it had supplied and delivered books worth more than HK$1.28 million from before 2014, but Page One the Designer’s Bookshop (HK) did not respond to repeated demands to foot the bill.

The supplier is demanding the bookstore settle the outstanding amount with interest and pay for the costs of legal action.

Last week another book supplier, New Age Culture, filed a similar writ in the District Court, demanding Page One settle a HK$559,529.23 bill. It said it had received only HK$200,000.

Page One opened its first Hong Kong store in the 1990s, offering a wide range of books, magazines and gifts. However, in recent years it had struggled as more customers opted for cheaper online sales.