With new bars opening in the low-rise residential area south of Queen's Road East, the local community is concerned that they might give rise to nuisance problems. In view of this, Wan Chai District (WCHDIST) has, after considering local and overseas experiences, formulated a community-based pilot scheme known as "Noble Bar Scheme".
With the assistance and co-operation of the Wan Chai District Council and other government departments, including Home Affairs Department, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Environmental Protection Department and Lands Department, WCHDIST is working closely with residents and bar operators in a bid to improve the environment of this cluster of new bars.
The scheme officially came into being following an opening ceremony held on Sun Street on March 16, where Deputy District Commander, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Leung Sai-kau, introduced the scheme. The Chairman of Wan Chai District Council, Mr Suen Kai-cheong, the Wan Chai Assistant District Officer, government department representatives, resident representatives, and bar operators joined SSP Leung in officiating at the opening, underscoring their joint effort to build a safe, orderly and nuisance-free environment.
At the opening ceremony, the Assistant District Officer appointed 11 WCHDIST officers as "Noble Bar Scheme Liaison Officers" for organising regular workshops, visits and distribution of publicity fliers to boost bar operators' crime prevention awareness and sense of social responsibility. The bars joining the scheme were also presented with the Scheme Charter, which undertakes to deliver the following messages to bar staff and patrons:
Responsible sale of liquor: Assisting in building a nuisance-free environment, complying with licensing conditions, and barring minors or drunk persons.
Responsible drinking: No drink driving, no excessive drinking, and no drunkenness or nuisance.
SSP Leung undertook to strengthen communication with stakeholders to achieve a win-win situation through the six-month pilot scheme, while bar operators pledged to co-operate with the police, government departments and residents.
