Woman fined for illegal club operation
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     A woman who had been operating a clubhouse with Certificate of Compliance (CoC) was today (February 9) fined $2,500 for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The Eastern Magistrates' Courts heard that the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of Home Affairs Department inspected a clubhouse in Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai, last August. OLA officers, posing as customers, patronised the club without being asked to show their membership status or being invited to join the club. Condition 19 of the CoC was breached.

     The woman, being the CoC holder, was subsequently charged with contravening the Section 21(2) of the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     A spokesman for the department said robust enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal clubhouse operations.

Ends/Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:00

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