Operators fined for illegal club operations
*******************************************

     A man, a woman and a company were fined $4,600 to $5,700 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (September 20) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in March this year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted inspections at three clubs on Argyle Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mong Kok which had been operating with certificates of compliance (CoCs). 

     During investigation in one of the clubs on Argyle Street, the OLA officers posed as customers and patronised the club for food and drinks without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club as members. Also, the club was found to have a layout that deviated from the registered drawing and the number of people at the club exceeded the maximum allowable capacity as stipulated in the CoC. Conditions 3, 6 and 19 of the CoC were breached. 

     As for another club on Argyle Street, the CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position. The club was found to have a layout that deviated from the registered drawing and the number of people at the club exceeded the maximum allowable capacity as stipulated in the CoC. Conditions 2, 3 and 6 of the CoC were breached.

     The club on Sai Yeung Choi Street served non-members. The CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position and the fire resistant door had been held open. Also, the club's staff failed to show the registered drawings upon the OLA officers' request. Conditions 2, 9, 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached.

     The man, the woman and the company, being the CoC holders of the clubs, were 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 will continue to be taken against illegal club operations.

Ends/Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:35

NNNN