According to the writ filed with the high court yesterday, Fu Rong (Island) Food & Beverage owes the landmark mall for outstanding rent and fees incurred since July.

Times Square said the Sichuanese restaurant continued to breach lease conditions even after forfeiting its deposit of HK$1.2 million.

Fu Rong still owes some HK$1.72 million in rent and other charges, and interest of HK$1.57 million. Apart from repaying the rent and interest, Fu Rong also has to vacate the premises.

Times Square cited a lease dated June 3, 2021, which stated that Fu Rong, could use shop number 1103 on the 11th floor for five years starting from March 15, 2021, at a monthly rent of HK$263,128, together with air-conditioning, promotional, service, and cleaning charges paid on the first day of every month.

Fu Rong has also been using an advertising sign box at the mall's ground floor since last November for a monthly fee of HK$1,700 inclusive of electricity charges but excluding government rates and other charges.

The mall was responsible for cleaning work done on Fu Rong's grease interceptor and exhaust fan in return for it repaying a total of HK$50,215 from September to last month.

Times Square called for Fu Rong to be levied an 8-percent annual interest rate from November 1 on the outstanding sum until a judgment is handed down.

Fu Rong comes under a Shenzhen-based chain Spicy Joint, which has over 70 Sichuanese restaurants in the mainland.

It originally had two branches in Hong Kong, with the other one at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui.

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