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A company was today (March 17) fined $2,000 and a manager $1,000 for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The Eastern Magistrates' Court heard that the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of Home Affairs Department inspected a suspected unlicensed clubhouse in Foo Ming Street, Causeway Bay, last September. OLA officers, posing as customers, entered the clubhouse. A waitress explained that the clubhouse only provided services to its members and she invited the officers to join membership. OLA officers handed in a completed membership application form, consumed food and beverages, and paid the bill.
When the OLA officers later revealed their identities, the female manager of the clubhouse admitted that the premises operated as a clubhouse and provided facilities and catering services to its members. According to OLA records, the premises did not hold a certificate of exemption or certificate of compliance, the company, operator of the premises, and the woman, manager of the premises, were charged with contravening section 4(1) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department said robust enforcement action would continue to be taken against unlicensed clubhouse operations.
Ends/Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:01
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