More vegetable chain stalls in Yuen Long convicted for causing noise annoyance
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An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department had repeatedly received complaints from members of the public last year that vegetable stalls in the vicinity of Tung Yick Market in Yuen Long were persistently playing promotional recordings by using loudspeakers and the noise had adversely affected nearby residents. The EPD conducted joint enforcement operations with the Police in November last year and revealed that the two vegetables stalls involved had placed loudspeakers at their front doors and played promotional recordings loudly in a continuous manner. Upon on-site assessment by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the noise caused annoyance and the department subsequently prosecuted the two vegetable stalls under the NCO.
The EPD is highly concerned about the repeated contraventions by some chain stalls by generating noise annoyance persistently, which has adversely affected nearby residents. After a series of enforcement actions, the situation of the vegetable stalls located in the vicinity of Tung Yick Market has improved. The spokesman said that the EPD will continue to closely monitor and conduct stringent enforcement actions to combat illegal behaviour by stalls. In order to deter repeated contraventions by chain stalls, the department will consider prosecuting the directors of the stalls concerned.
The spokesman reminded persons responsible for retail shops and market stalls that when they play promotional recordings to sell goods, they should contain the noise level within their shop area and should not cause annoyance to nearby residents. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000.
Ends/Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Issued at HKT 16:42
Issued at HKT 16:42
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