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The following is issued on behalf of the Provisional Urban Council:

The Provisional Urban Council Liquor Licensing Board today (Thursday) rejected an application for renewal of the club liquor licence from Blue Cross in Elgin Street, Central.

A Council spokesman said that the applicant failed to win the Board members' confidence in his ability to rectify irregularities.

Since last November, the Police reported that five noise complaints were received against the premises and that they were referred to the Environmental Protection Department.

The applicant was required to keep the front door of the premises closed after 6 pm every day and not to sell or supply liquor on the premises after 11 pm. However, during Police inspections, the person-in-charge of the premises was found breaching the licensing condition.

The Police was of the view that the licensee was not a fit and proper person to hold a liquor licence.

Besides the Police, the incorporated owners of a nearby building also raised objection to the application.

End/Thursday, April 22, 1999

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