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A clubhouse operator and a company which had been operating with a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) in Causeway Bay were today (July 15) fined $2,000 and $2,500 respectively for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The Eastern Magistrates' Court heard that a clubhouse in Foo Ming Street, Causeway Bay, had been operating with a CoC under the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance since June last year. The Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department found that the clubhouse served non-members in early December last year and subsequently issued a warning letter to the club.
In late December last year, an officer of OLA, posing as a customer, patronised the clubhouse for food and drink without being asked to show his membership status or invited to join the club as a member. Furthermore, it was found that the layout of the clubhouse deviated from that shown on the registered drawing. The man, who operated the club house, and the company, holder of the CoC, were found to be in contravention of special condition 1 and condition 3 of the CoC. They were subsequently charged with contravening section 21(1)(a) and section 21(2) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance respectively.
A spokesman for the department said robust enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal clubhouse operations.
Ends/Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:00
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