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A man was fined $15,500 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (October 30) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance (the Ordinance).
The courts heard that in April this year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, which has 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. The club staff could not show the CoC or the certified true copy, the registered drawings, the certificate of fire services installations and equipment as well as the membership register upon OLA officers' request. Furthermore, OLA officers found that the exit route of the club was blocked. Conditions 2, 9, 10, 17, 19 and 20 were breached.
The man, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department reminded all the CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal club operations.
Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:00
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