An arcade game operator asked a court yesterday to overturn a decision to refuse him a licence over the centre's proximity to a school, saying it would not be a bad influence on the children.
Wong Wei-man, who last year rented a unit in a North Point commercial plaza off King's Road to run the game centre, was refused a business licence by the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority because it was 'within a radius of 100 metres from an education institution'. An appeal against the decision was dismissed by the Amusement Game Centres Appeal Board on March 20 this year.
Philip Dykes SC, for Mr Wong, told the Court of First Instance the pupils of Shu Yan School would not be affected as they were of pre-school and primary-school age only. He also argued that the school, in King's Road, only partially fell within the 100-metre circle.
He said Mr Wong's case was 'borderline' and the authority should not have applied the 100-metre rule rigidly. 'The school comprised a primary school and a kindergarten, so there was no risk of teenage children being tempted to patronise the premises.'
However, David Fitzpatrick, for the Government, said the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing had made a just decision. 'There is no indication on where the radius should generate from,' Mr Fitzpatrick said.
Mr Justice Frank Stock reserved his judgment.
