Vegetable chain stalls in Yau Ma Tei and Shau Kei Wan convicted for causing noise nuisance

     Vegetable chain stalls operated by Bonnie Vegetables and Fruit Wholesale Limited in Yau Ma Tei and Shau Kei Wan were fined a total of $10,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (August 16) for contravening the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO) by causing noise nuisance to nearby residents with loudspeakers playing promotional recordings.

     An Environmental Protection Department (EPD) spokesman said that the department received complaints from members of the public last year about two vegetable stalls at Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Mei and Po Man Street in Shau Kei Wan persistently and repeatedly playing promotional recordings with loudspeakers during operating hours to sell goods. The EPD conducted investigations at the vegetable stalls concerned in March and April respectively. Upon on-site assessment by EPD staff, it was confirmed that the noise caused annoyance and the department subsequently prosecuted the two stalls under the NCO. Following the enforcement action against the two vegetable stalls, the above situation was improved.

     The EPD is highly concerned about the noise nuisance caused by vegetable chain stalls in various districts. The department will continue to closely monitor and conduct stringent enforcement action to combat repeated contraventions by these stalls. The EPD will consider prosecuting the company director in addition to the operating company 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 as far as possible and should not cause annoyance to other people outside their shops or nearby residents. Otherwise, it constitutes an offence, and offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000. For stalls with repeated contraventions, the operator himself will also be criminally liable for the offence once convicted.