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A woman who held the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) of a clubhouse in Wan Chai, and another woman who was the management personnel, were each fined $1,500 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (September 4) for breaching the condition of the CoC.
The court heard that officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department inspected a clubhouse at Tin Lok Lane, Wan Chai, in February this year. The officers found that three liquefied petroleum gas stoves were used for cooking in the premises and they suspected the layout of the clubhouse had been altered.
The CoC holder admitted that she had received a warning letter issued by the OLA in December last year. She had a general knowledge of the condition of the CoC that modification to the premises without OLA's prior consent was restricted.
The management personnel and holder of the CoC were in contravention of condition of the CoC and subsequently charged under sections 21(1) and 21(2) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.
The department will continue to take strict enforcement actions against illegal clubhouse operations to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments.
Ends/Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:00
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