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Three companies were fined $3,000, $6,000 and $8,000 respectively at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (December 28) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The courts heard that in July this year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department inspected three clubs in Tsim Sha Tsui, which have been operating with certificates of compliance (CoC).
During the inspection of the club located at Cameron Road, the club staff could not show the membership register upon the OLA officers' request. Condition 20 of the CoC was breached.
At the inspection of the club located at Minden Avenue, OLA officers found that the actual layout of the club deviated from the registered drawing with additional furniture installed. It was also found that the fire exit was blocked. Conditions 3 and 9 of the CoC were breached.
During the inspection of the club located at Ashley Road, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food without being asked to show their membership status or invited to join the club as members. It was also found that the actual layout of the club deviated from the registered drawing with additional furniture installed. Conditions 3 and 19 of the CoC were breached.
The companies, being the CoC holders of the three clubs, were 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/Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:31
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