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Two companies were fined $8,000 and $10,000 respectively at Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (February 1) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The court heard that in August last year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department inspected a club in Carnavon Road, Tsim Sha Shui, which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). During the investigation, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Moreover, the club staff could not show the membership register upon the OLA officers' request. Furthermore, the exit route in the club was blocked. Conditions 9, 19 and 20 of the CoC were breached.
In another operation in August last year, OLA officers inspected a club in Hart Avenue, Tsim Sha Shui, which had been operating with a CoC. During the investigation, the actual layout of the club was found to have deviated from the registered drawing. Moreover, the number of people at the club during the inspection exceeded the maximum allowable capacity as stipulated in the CoC. Conditions 3 and 6 of the CoC were breached.
The companies, being the CoC holders, were charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department said enforcement actions would continue to be taken against illegal club operations.
Ends/Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:46
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