Hotstone Yoga Sudden Closure Leaves Hundreds of Members Out of Pocket
HK01 · 4 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago4 MIN
Summary
Hotstone Yoga, a well-established rock-basin yoga chain in Hong Kong that had been operating for over a decade, suddenly announced the closure of all its branches on September 30, 2026 . The company issued an official notice through a law firm to customers, employees, and creditors, citing "business operations and other practical circumstances" as reasons for the decision . Hundreds of victims have joined WhatsApp groups to coordinate their response, with some claiming they were still being solicited to renew their memberships just hours before the closure was announced .
Key Points
- The closure affected all branches, with the company stating September 30 was the final day of operations
- Victim groups have grown to 480-500 members, with individual losses ranging from thousands to over 10,000 HKD
- One victim is entertainer Cathy Au (歐倩怡), who joined in June and paid approximately 10,000 HKD for classes
- The company claims September wages and class fees for employees will be paid by October 5
- The Labor Department has urged affected employees to register with its offices for assistance
Why It Matters
The Hotstone Yoga closure highlights the vulnerability of Hong Kong consumers who prepay for fitness and wellness services, particularly when aggressive sales tactics continue right up to a business's sudden shutdown . This incident underscores the need for stronger consumer protection measures regarding prepayment schemes in the city, as affected members—many of whom joined simply to maintain their health—now face significant financial losses with limited recourse .
The Hotstone Yoga closure highlights the vulnerability of Hong Kong consumers who prepay for fitness and wellness services, particularly when aggressive sales tactics continue right up to a business's sudden shutdown . This incident underscores the need for stronger consumer protection measures regarding prepayment schemes in the city, as affected members—many of whom joined simply to maintain their health—now face significant financial losses with limited recourse .