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A company and a woman were fined $4,000 and $2,000 respectively at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (September 6) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance (the Ordinance).
The court heard that the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection in February this year on a club in Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, which has been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). During the investigation, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club. Moreover, the club staff could not show the membership register upon OLA officers' request. Conditions 19 and 20 of the CoC were breached.
The company, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.
OLA officers also conducted an inspection in April this year on a club in Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, which has been operating with a CoC. During the investigation, the club staff could not show the membership register upon OLA officers' request. Condition 20 of the CoC was breached.
The woman, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the ordinance.
A spokesman for the department said enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal club operations.
Ends/Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:31
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