Company fined for illegal club operation
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     A company was fined $10,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (June 24) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance (the Ordinance).

     The courts heard that in December last year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club in Wyndham Street, Central, which has been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).

     During the investigation, OLA officers found that the club's exit route had been obstructed. Also, the club staff failed to show the CoC or its certified true copy, the certificate of fire services installations and equipment, as well as the registered drawings upon OLA officers' request. Conditions 2, 9, 10 and 17 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/Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:00

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