Operators fined for illegal club operation

     A man and a company were each fined $3,500 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (October 14) for contravening the Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in April this year, officers from the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department conducted an inspection at a club on Robinson Road in the Mid-levels, which had been operating with a certificate of compliance (CoC).

     During the investigation, 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. Condition 12 of the CoC was breached.

     The man and the company, being the operator and the CoC holder of the club, were charged with contravening section 21(1)(a) and section 21(2) of the Ordinance respectively.

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