A company and a man were each fined $4,000 and $8,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (July 25) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in January this year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted inspections at two clubs on D'Aguilar Street and Queen's Road Central in Central which had been operating with certificates of compliance (CoCs). 

     During the investigation in the club on D'Aguilar Street, the OLA officers found that the CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position at the club. Also, the staff of the club failed to show a copy of the certificate of fire services installations and equipment upon the OLA officers' request. Conditions 2 and 10 of the CoC were breached. 

     Also, the CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position at the club on Queen's Road Central. The club was found to have a layout that deviated from the registered drawing, the number of people at the club exceeded the maximum allowable capacity as stipulated in the CoC and the fire-resistant door was held open. Conditions 2, 3, 6 and 9 of the CoC were breached.

     The company and the man, being the CoC holders of the clubs respectively, were 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, July 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:07

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