Pure Fitness says unpaid rent dispute with Central branch landlord resolved

A Hong Kong physical fitness chain has said the landlord of its Central branch is no longer pursuing legal action over nearly HK$14 million (US$1.8 million) in unpaid rent, charges and fees, and sought to reassure its customers that all of its gyms were operating as usual.

Pure Fitness said on Saturday it had “amicably resolved” the matter with Champion REIT and all pending legal proceedings had been withdrawn.

“We look forward to sustaining a positive relationship with all our landlords moving forward as we execute on our exciting plans for the future,” a spokesman for Pure said.

Champion REIT filed a writ through CP(SH) Limited against three companies associated with the gym operator in August, alleging Pure Fitness failed to pay rent from April to August for its branch in ICBC Tower in Central.

The five months’ rent amounted to HK$7.55 million, on top of management charges between June to August that totalled about HK$1.61 million.