HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
5
Wan Chai, there may be 40-50 or as many as 100 bars along one section of the street. As such, it would not be possible to limit the number of licences to be issued. However, as suggested in the motion, such districts are changing from purely residential areas to those with many restaurants. Tong Chong Street and Staunton Street which both Mr. Cheung and Mr. KAM Nai-wai are concerned about are examples. The Liquor Licensing Board is also very concerned because with the change of profile, the quiet environment of residential areas may be lost and therefore residents may be affected. When issuing new liquor licences in such recently busy areas, the Board will put in clauses to restrict their business hours in selling liquor. We have the experience of limiting hours for liquor selling in Staunton Street and then observing to see if residents in the vicinity are affected. In this respect, we have to rely on feedback from local Urban Council Members, District Board Members, Area Committee Members and residents. We can only make adjustments in accordance with the feedback, we do not want to penalize investors wholly for fear of the changes to individual districts. The Liquor Licensing Board will consider all sides of the matter objectively. We intend to make a decision after we have collected more information.
MR. AMBROSE Cheung WING-SUM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am glad to know from the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board Mr. San Stephen WONG Hon-ching that there have been discussions and follow-up action on devising of policy. I look forward to a policy decision in the near future.
I just want to go further into the situation in Staunton Street. Right now, cases are dealt with on individual merit. I hope Mr. WONG will consider taking the matter back to the Liquor Licensing Board as a matter of policy. The main reason for this is that there are certain to be problems in legitimacy and enforcement if licenses held by different establishments in Staunton Street are for business at different hours. With an established policy, there will be a specific foundation to base on for applicants and the licensing authority alike. This is my first request.
Secondly, Mr. WONG has yet to provide figures for the number of licensed liquor selling premises in Staunton Street and Tong Chong Street.
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese):—The first point is just a request, not a question. However, that request will be discussed at the Liquor Licensing Board because not only is Mr. CHEUNG concerned, but also local Urban Council Members, District Board Members and Area Committee Members as I said. As for whether we have a special approach to an area such as Staunton Street, objections to the operation of licensed premises there were raised at the latest meeting of the Board. We reached a decision. For a quiet district with a noticeable number of applications for liquor licenses suddenly, we feel we should set a time limit for liquor selling to the licenses, say up to 11 pm. In issuing licenses, we would consult local investors or licence holders so
Page 5 of 654
Page 5 of 654
Page 5Page 6