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Operators fined for illegal club operations
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     Two companies and two women were fined $8,000, $2,000, $2,000 and $6,000 respectively at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 30) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in February this year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department inspected two clubs in Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, which have been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). During the investigation, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the clubs for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or invited to join the clubs as members. Condition 19 of the CoC was breached.

     The company and the woman, being the respective CoC holder of the two clubs, were charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     OLA officers also conducted an inspection in February this year on a club in Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, which has been operating with a CoC. During the investigation, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the clubs for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or invited to join the club as members. Moreover, the club staff could not show the CoC upon OLA officers' request. OLA officers also found that the actual layout of the club deviated from the registered drawing. Conditions 2, 3 and 19 of the CoC were breached.

     Furthermore, the club was found operating under a name other than the name indicated in the CoC on the day of inspection.

     The company, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening sections 21(2) and 21(1)(c) of the Ordinance.

     During the inspection in February this year on another club in Gloucester Road, which has been operating with a CoC, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the clubs for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or invited to join the club as members. Moreover, the club staff could not show the membership register upon OLA officers' request. Furthermore, OLA officers found that the actual layout of the club deviated from the registered drawing, with an increased number of tables and chairs. Conditions 3, 19 and 20 of the CoC were breached.

     The woman, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening sections 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     A spokesman for the department said enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal clubhouse operations.

Ends/Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:16

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