21st December 2025 – (Hong Kong) A row over an early gate closure at a Wan Chai car park was defused on Sunday morning after the management company offered to refund parking charges incurred from midnight through to 7am, following hours of complaints from stranded motorists.
The incident occurred at a non‑24‑hour car park at Tai Yau Car Park, 181 Johnston Road, where the entrance signage states an hourly fee of HK$34 and opening hours from 7.30am to 12.30am, with “no overnight service”. Drivers said the gate was lowered earlier than expected, leaving them unable to retrieve their vehicles until the facility reopened in the morning.
Police received a report at 12.57am on Sunday (21st December) that the car park’s shutter had been closed while 13 drivers were still inside or attempting to collect their cars. Officers attended the scene and liaised with a person in charge from the car park’s management company. Police said they believed someone had refused to reopen the gate and advised motorists they would need to wait until the morning to remove their vehicles. The case was classified as a “complaint”.
According to those affected, a total of 13 vehicles were effectively “trapped”, with at least 16 people including drivers and passengers impacted. Many had parked there to attend a boxing event at the nearby Southorn Stadium. When the event finished and they returned to collect their cars, they discovered the gates were already shut. Security staff from an adjacent shopping mall allowed them into the car park to inquire further but were unable to open the shutter, forcing the group to remain on site; some considered checking into nearby hotels for the night.
Several motorists chose to stay at the car park throughout the night, accusing the management company of an inhumane and rigid approach and demanding a clear explanation. One seven‑seater vehicle positioned at the front of the exit reportedly claimed to have a flat battery and was initially unable to move, blocking the only way out.
By around 10.30am, after hours of stand‑off and mounting frustration, the car park management company acknowledged shortcomings in its handling of the situation and offered a financial remedy. It proposed refunding parking fees charged from overnight until 7am, effectively waiving a substantial portion of the affected motorists’ bills. The gesture, together with verbal apologies from staff, helped to calm tensions and brought the dispute to an end.
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