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A woman and a company were fined $24,000 and $10,000 respectively today (August 31) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The Eastern Magistrates' Courts heard that in April this year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department inspected a clubhouse in Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). During the investigations, OLA officers, posing as customers, patronised the clubs for drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Moreover, the exit route in the clubhouse was found to be obstructed. Conditions 19 and 11 of the CoC were breached.
The woman, being the CoC holder of the above club, was subsequently charged with contravening section 21(1) (a) of the ordinance.
In another inspection conducted in April this year on a suspected unlicensed clubhouse in Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay, OLA officers, posing as customers, patronised the club for food. They were requested by staff to join as members when settling the bill.
According to the OLA's record, the clubhouse did not possess a valid certificate of exemption or a license under the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance on the day of inspection. The company that operated the clubhouse was charged with contravening section 4(1) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department said enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal and unlicensed clubhouse operations.
Ends/Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:31
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