Two men and a woman were fined from $5,000 to $9,000 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (April 10) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in September last year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted inspections at two clubs on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, which had been operating with certificates of compliance (CoCs). 

     During the investigation in one of the clubs on Nathan Road, 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. Also, the club's staff failed to show a copy of the certificate of fire service installation and equipment and the registered drawing upon the OLA officers' request. Moreover, the CoC or its certified true copy was not displayed at a prominent position at the club. Conditions 2, 10, 17 and 19 of the CoC were breached. The two men, being the manager and the CoC holder of the club, were charged with contravening section 21(1) (a) or section 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     The other club on Nathan Road also served non-members. Also, the club was found to have a layout that deviated from the registered drawing. Conditions 3 and 19 of the CoC were breached. The woman, 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/Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:30

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