A company was fined $8,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (November 22) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in February this year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Peel Street in Central, which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). 

     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. The club's staff failed to show the registered drawings upon the OLA officers' request. Also, the club was found to have the exit route obstructed and the fire resistant door held open. Conditions 9, 12, 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached.

     The company, being the CoC holder of the club, 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 will continue to be taken against illegal club operations.

Ends/Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:39

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