LEADERS of a church in Oxford city centre have objected to a new application for a lapdancing venue just 20 yards from their front door.

In January, Greene King applied for a licence to run lapdancing and pole dancing sessions at Thirst Lodge, off St Ebbe’s Street.

But the brewery withdrew its application after staff at St Ebbe’s Church complained they did not want a lapdancing bar as a neighbour.

Greene King said at the time that the application had been withdrawn after listening to the concerns of their neighbours.

But now the brewery has submitted a similar application to the city council and this time the bar in Pennyfarthing Place also wants to show films.

The vicar, Rev Vaughan Roberts, said: “Lapdancing is degrading for all those involved. We would be concerned about a lapdancing club opening anywhere in Oxford, but all the more when it’s on such a public thoroughfare and when it’s next door to a building thatis used every day of the week by children and young people.

“Would they allow a lapdancing club to open next door to a primary school?”

Church manager Mark Abraham said the latest application came as a shock to the church, adding: “Once again, Greene King did not tell us of their intentions, leaving us with very little time to object. St Ebbe’s is a very active church in the heart of Oxford, which reaches out to students and ministers to the elderly, the homeless, and children from very young to teenage, all who attend our church during the week — both mornings and evenings. To have a pub right on our doorstep promoting lapdancing would only serve to harm the Gospel at St Ebbe’s and to Oxford at large.”

At the moment, the church attracts about 1,000 people a week to a range of services and activities.

Mr Abraham added: “Lapdancing exploits women and that’s contrary to one of the key messages our church is trying to put out. A lapdancing bar would really change the nature of the area and we think it could put people off coming to our church.

“Greene King said they wouldn’t do this again so it’s extremely disappointing.”

Elaine Beckett, a spokesman for Greene King, said: “Thirst Lodge is leased on a commercial arrangement to Spirit Bar Limited.

“Greene King has applied on behalf of Spirit Bar Limited to amend the premises licence to include the facility to show the performance of a dance.”