Recreational clubs
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DescriptionsThe Business Liaison Group (BLG) for recreational clubs (statutory known as "clubs") is a formal forum for operators of private clubs that generally restrict memberships through debenture, subscription or fellow member referrals to exchange views with government representatives on licensing and regulatory matters. These clubs are characterized by offering a wide range of recreational facilities and related services. In addition to the Certificate of Compliance for clubs, an operator may also need to apply for licences for karaoke, swimming pool, massage establishment, etc. in providing different services to the club members. BLG members are welcome to suggest agenda items on licensing and regulatory matters affecting the trade.
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Government RepresentativesFood and Environmental Hygiene Department, Home Affairs Department, and Efficiency Office.
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Trade’s views are collected through various channels, including BLG meetings, online forms, e-mails and phone calls. The relevant meeting notes, summaries of trade’s views and the Government’s responses are tabulated below –
Meeting /
Trade’s views
Date / Period Document 21 20 Nov 2023 
Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 5Jul – Dec 2023 Summary of trade's views and Government's responsesJoint Meeting 12 Sep 2023 Meeting notes (Chinese version only) Annex 1 (Chinese version only) Annex 2 (Chinese version only) Annex 3 (Chinese version only) Annex 4 (Chinese version only)Jan – Jun 2023 No trade's views were raised through this BLG
20 25 Oct 2022 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 5 Annex 6Jul – Dec 2022 Summary of trade's views and Government's responsesJan – Jun 2022 Summary of trade's views and Government's responsesJul – Dec 2021 No trade's views were raised through this BLG
19 28 Nov 2019 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 518 21 Aug 2018 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 517 16 Mar 2017 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 316 17 Mar 2016 
Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 215 11 Aug 2015 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 514 14 Jan 2015 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 413 20 Jan 2014 Meeting notes Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 Annex 4 Annex 5If you would like to access recreational clubs BLG meeting notes/annex(es) issued before 2014, please contact us at bft@effo.gov.hk
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Highlight of Interesting Issues- If karaoke activity is carried on in not more than 3 rooms with an aggregate floor area of not more than 30m2, the karaoke establishment is exempted from obtaining a licence or permit.
- If application for renewal of Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is made three months before expiry, the current CoC will remain valid until notice of the application result is issued by the Home Affairs Department (HAD).
- The operators should obtain a Frozen Confection Factory Licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) before installing a soft ice-cream dispensing machine for direct sale of soft ice-cream on a club premises.
- The operators should obtain different restricted food permits from the FEHD for serving different restricted food items such as oysters, sashimi etc. on the club premises
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