THE Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) says they will soon be taking action against clubs operating in the Corporate Area that are not licensed as a Place of Amusement.
Leberet McKenzie, chief revenue officer of the KSAC said there are several clubs that are currently operating in the Corporate Area without licences.
He said among these clubs were the exotic clubs Gemini and Howie's Nite Club.
"Our biggest problem is that clubs are not applying for licences. A small amount have come in and applied. For those that don't come in, we'll have no choice but to enforce the laws. It's not a matter of money, it's for public safety," he said.
The Corporation said clubs operating now without a licence would be allowed to continue to operate if they applied for a licence.
"Once a club has applied for a licence, we still allow them to operate. Our inspectors will be visiting the club at random intervals without notice to ensure that the clubs are upholding the law," he said.
When THE WEEKEND STAR contacted the Gemini Night Club, Denzil Naar, the manager, denied the allegations.
"We're licensed operators, and we renew it every year. We are supposed to go to court this month to renew our licences. We would not operate without a licence, it is illegal. We have been in operation for over twenty years now and we have had a licence all those years," he said.
When contacted the operator of Howie's Nite Club who wished to remain anonymous said his club was no longer in operation. "Our club has been closed down for several months now. We were asked to renew our licence but I don't see why we should when we are closed," he said.
In order for a club to be licensed the following steps must be taken; make a letter of application, pay the appropriate licence fee which is dependent on the capacity of the club. A club with a capacity not exceeding 300 persons is required to pay $5,000 per annum. A larger club that has a capacity not exceeding 1000 person is required to pay a fee of $7,500 and a club that exceeds the 1000 mark, pays $20,000. All these fees are charged per annum.
Mr. McKenzie also said the owners have to ensure that their clubs meet other requirements. "The owner must ensure that the club is insured having received insurance from a reputable company. This insurance, must be in respect of public liability, fire and allied perils. In the event of that the club is in a building, a certificate from the Fire Commissioner confirming that satisfactory fire precautions are in place," he said.
To ensure co-operation on the part of club owners, the KSAC has passed on a list to the police of about 100 clubs. "The list is not a definite list our investigations show that there are more clubs on that are not on the list while some of those not on the list have been closed down," McKenzie said.
"We have passed on a list to the Commissioner's Office and the Division Commanders of the clubs that are operating without a licence. We are also using the police to enforce the regulation in terms of dances."
