*******************************************
Three companies were fined $4,000 to $16,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (December 4) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The courts heard that the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted inspections on three clubs operating with certificates of compliance (CoCs) in Causeway Bay in May this year.
In the first case, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club on Jaffe Road for food without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club.
In the second case, OLA officers found that the exit route of the club on Sharp Street West was blocked.
In the third case, apart from serving non-members, the staff of the club on Yee Wo Street failed to show the CoC upon OLA officers' request. Furthermore, OLA officers found that the exit route of the club was blocked and the club did not operate under the name indicated in the CoC on the day of inspection.
A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated in the certificate. Enforcement action will continue to be taken against illegal club operations, he said.
Ends/Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:50
NNNN
