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A company was fined $15,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (November 5) 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 conducted an inspection at a club in Portland Street, Mong Kok, which has been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).
During the investigation, OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club. OLA officers found that the club's layout had deviated from the registered drawings and the exit route had been obstructed. Furthermore, the club staff failed to show the CoC or its certified true copy, as well as the registered drawings, upon the OLA officers' request. Conditions 2, 3, 12, 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached.
The company, being the CoC holder, was charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.
A spokesman for the department reminded all CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated therein. Enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal club operations.
Ends/Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:15
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