Two companies fined for illegal club operations
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     Two companies were fined $3,000 and $7,000 respectively at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (March 5) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in June last year, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Wo On Lane, Central, which has been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC). During the investigation, OLA officers found that the actual layout of the club had deviated from the registered drawings. Condition 3 of the CoC was breached.

     In another case in August last year, OLA officers inspected a club operating with a CoC on Leighton Road, Causeway Bay. Apart from serving non-members, the club was found to have operated beyond the licensed area and had a layout that deviated from the registered drawings. Furthermore, the club staff failed to show the registered drawings upon OLA officers' request. Conditions 3, 17, 18 and 19 were breached.

     The two companies, being the CoC holders, were charged with contravening section 21(2) of the Ordinance.

     A spokesman for the department reminded all the CoC holders to comply with the conditions as stipulated in the certificate. Enforcement action will continue to be taken against illegal club operations.

Ends/Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:36

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