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A company and two women were fined $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000 respectively at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (October 4) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The courts heard that in April this year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department inspected a club in Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, which has been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). During the investigation, OLA officers found that the actual layout of the club deviated from the registered drawing with additional furniture installed. Condition 3 of the CoC was 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 on another club in Jaffe Road which has been operating with a 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 invited to join the club as members. Condition 19 of the CoC was breached.
The female operator and female manager of the club were respectively charged with contravening sections 21(2) and 21(1)(a) of the Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department said enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal club operations.
Ends/Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:00
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