Being a people-oriented company, GR8 Leisure Concept focuses not only on its business but also on the needs of society and the environment. The efforts of GR8 made towards the caring of the community, employees and environment over the past years have been recognised by The Hong Kong Council of Social Service with the Caring Company Logo in March 2014.
Local Charity
In August 2012, GR8 Leisure Concept partnered with Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power to host “My Beautiful Life” Charity Painting Day in Cafe Roma. Friends of Hong Kong Rehabilitation Power expressed themselves freely in the creative interpretation of their beautiful lives while surrounded by nature in Park Island, Ma Wan. The completed paintings were then auctioned at the GR8 Leisure Concept 8th anniversary party at Dada Bar + Lounge, where the paintings received auction bids from the public with a matching offer from the group. 100% of the proceeds were donated to the charity organisation for their sustainable development.
The brands within the group have also been active in working with the community and non-profit organisations. The Luxe Manor donated refurbrished in-room televisions to different charities in 2011 and 2013, including Christian Concern For The Homeless Association, Tuen Mun Alliance Church, and “WEEE Go Green” campaign supported by St. James’ Settlement to those in need.
GR8 Leisure Concept also supported Feeding Hong Kong by collecting 117 kg of food, which provided 201 meals to people in need in February 2013.
Cafe Roma, Dada Bar + Lounge, FINDS and Robata Zawazawa participated in HandsOn Hong Kong’s “Drink for Good” fundraising event on 4 September 2013 by donating to the charity organisation for each drink purchased on the day. The raised funds were used to take disable children to Ocean Park in March 2014.
In 2012 and 2014, FINDS’ Executive Chef Jaakko Sorsa participated in “The Great Chefs of Hong Kong”, a fundraising event organized by Heep Hong Society for children with special needs.
Since September 2013, Cafe Roma and Robata Zawazawa have participated as donation points for “Tons of Love”, a coin drive programme organised by animal rights charity Society for Abandoned Animals Limited (SAA). The collected donations will go towards the rescue and rehoming of abandoned animals. Cafe Roma also joined forces with the SAA to host “Dog Day Out”, the establishment’s first-ever pet adoption and fundraising day on 8 March 2014 to drive awareness to the importance of animal rescue and adoption.
Environmental Sustainability
Apart from donating to charity organisations, GR8 Leisure Concept is an advocate of environmental sustainability and protection of the earth.
Since 2011, FINDS has offered a four-course sustainable seafood dinner menu approved by WWF Hong Kong, and is the first western-cuisine restaurant in Hong Kong to join WWF Hong Kong’s Ocean-Friendly Menu programme.
In 2012, the group banned the use of shark fins in all of its restaurants in Hong Kong and China to support a balanced marine ecosystem. GR8 brands have also been an avid supporter of the “Earth Hour” global initiative, a worldwide movement organised by WWF to raise awareness to the issues of global warming and its effects on the planet.
On 1 October 2011, a group-wide “World Vegetarian Day” was introduced where all restaurants offered delicious vegetarian menus. Today, all outlets provide vegetarian and/or vegan options to cater to people with different dietary requirements and preferences. FINDS, Loong Toh Yuen, and The Parlour are also active partners of Green Monday, serving special vegetarian-friendly lunch options to diners every Monday.
The documentary film named PLANEAT which documents three scientists’ life-long search for healthy diet, is available for sales at The Luxe Manor, of which HK$100 will be donated to Children’s Heart Foundation for each copy sold.
Heritage Conservation
Since GR8 Leisure Concept’s acquisition of heritage hotel Hullett House in June 2013, conservation and revitalisation have also become a core part of the Company.
In August 2013, GR8 Leisure Concept hosted “Go in a Dream with Kids”, an event that bought underprivileged children from Kwun Tong Methodist Social Service to visit the historical compound. Apart from telling stories of the building’s history, the children enjoyed creating their own fashion art pieces with the help of GR8 Leisure Concept staff. Hullett House also regularly hosts guided heritage tours for schools and students to introduce and educate the daily life of marine police dating back to 1881.
Global CSR
GR8 Leisure Concept also extends its help beyond its base in Hong Kong.
The Luxe Manor is currently sponsoring five children from Ethiopia and Bangladesh through World Vision Hong Kong’s child sponsorship programme, which aims to help children get access to the basic necessities and grow healthily by addressing the root causes of poverty.
The group also supports the conservation of giant pandas in Sichuan, China by offering generous donations to Friends of Panda Mountain, a conservation and cultural initiative that integrates planning, conservation, education, training, community engagement and sustainable development of the Wolong National Nature Reserve.
GR8 Leisure Concept continues to have plans to work with various non-profit organisations and be a responsible corporate citizen of the world.