Lapdancing clubs face ban

6:27pm Wednesday 14th April 2010 in News By Dan Hearn

LAPDANCING is set to be banned from large areas of Oxford under stringent new licensing guidelines.

Oxford city councillors are expected to adopt extra powers which will enable them to reject licensing applications for “sexual entertainment venues” near schools, churches and tourist attractions.

A full council meeting will decide whether to adopt the powers, under Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, on Monday.

Thirst Lodge, in Pennyfarthing Place and BabySimple, on Cowley Road, are the city’s only licensed sexual entertainment venues, although BabySimple no longer offers lapdancing.

If the council agrees to adopt the changes it will almost certainly spell the end for lapdancing at Thirst Lodge and will ban similar entertainment from most areas of Oxford.

Last night council leader Bob Price said: “There are quite large parts of the city where lapdancing would not be appropriate.

“We have encountered vociferous opposition on doorsteps. Some venues will be forced to close down when they reapply for licences because they will contravene the new guidelines.”

The new Government legislation, which came into force on April 6, means local authorities can choose to place greater licensing constraints on sexual entertainment venues.

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Thirst Lodge has offered lapdancing from Monday to Saturday, between 9pm and 3am, since March.

Nearby St Ebbe’s Church is appealing against the licensing decision at Oxford Magistrates’ Court this month.

Mr Price said: “Thirst Lodge is in about the worst possible place and has caused a lot of upset.

“It certainly contravenes a number of the new guidelines. Dependent on the outcome of the court case, the council will apply the new pointers at any future licence application should they be adopted. We are trying to develop a very strong tourist offer in the city for the long term economic benefit of Oxford.

“What is not appropriate is a venue which draws a rather sleazy clientele looking for something which is less than wholesome.”

St Ebbe’s Church spokesman Dr Lucy Bannister said: “We are delighted that the city council is taking such firm action and are determined not to allow Thirst Lodge to remain open.

“We are disappointed that these rules were not in place when the original application went in. We can’t help but think it was submitted with the knowledge the law was going to change.”

Nobody from Thirst Lodge or BabySimple was available for comment.

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk

Comments (18)

7:06pm Wed 14 Apr 10

JanetJ says...

What problems have been reported since Thirst Lodge opened?? The church opposition were very clear there would be huge probelms
What problems have been reported since Thirst Lodge opened?? The church opposition were very clear there would be huge probelms JanetJ

7:42pm Wed 14 Apr 10

poppy721 says...

Your prayers are answered, bless, keep out the filth........
Your prayers are answered, bless, keep out the filth........ poppy721

7:43pm Wed 14 Apr 10

Jamie Burns says...

Democracy in Oxford is officially dead - if they don't like it, no matter what it is the council simply bans it.

Personally, I don't think much of religion, how about shutting a few churches ?
Democracy in Oxford is officially dead - if they don't like it, no matter what it is the council simply bans it. Personally, I don't think much of religion, how about shutting a few churches ? Jamie Burns

8:11pm Wed 14 Apr 10

Lord Palmerston says...

“We are delighted that the city council is taking such firm action and are determined not to allow Thirst Lodge to remain open. "
Es ist streng verboten. Ich habe gesprochen.
“We are delighted that the city council is taking such firm action and are determined not to allow Thirst Lodge to remain open. " Es ist streng verboten. Ich habe gesprochen. Lord Palmerston

10:38pm Wed 14 Apr 10

Peter macvey says...

poppy721 wrote:
Your prayers are answered, bless, keep out the filth........
I think that you misread poppy. The kiddie fiddlers will still be allowed to practice, it is Thirst Lodge that will be shut down. I remember when I was little, all the young boys wanted to enter the clergy, not the other way round.
[quote][p][bold]poppy721[/bold] wrote: Your prayers are answered, bless, keep out the filth........[/p][/quote]I think that you misread poppy. The kiddie fiddlers will still be allowed to practice, it is Thirst Lodge that will be shut down. I remember when I was little, all the young boys wanted to enter the clergy, not the other way round. Peter macvey

8:50am Thu 15 Apr 10

Lord Palmerston says...

"What is not appropriate is a venue which draws a rather sleazy clientele looking for something which is less than wholesome"
So you're shutting the night shelter then Bob? Brill.
I know nothing of lapdancing and would have thought the only possible "sexual entertainment venue" was a brothel but then of course I'm not an authoritarian socialist politician. However it is my impression that it is the 16-pint-of Stella-and -a -good-ruck brigade who are the main problem in Oxford rather than the dirty mac types. Am I wrong, Reverend Lucy?
"What is not appropriate is a venue which draws a rather sleazy clientele looking for something which is less than wholesome" So you're shutting the night shelter then Bob? Brill. I know nothing of lapdancing and would have thought the only possible "sexual entertainment venue" was a brothel but then of course I'm not an authoritarian socialist politician. However it is my impression that it is the 16-pint-of Stella-and -a -good-ruck brigade who are the main problem in Oxford rather than the dirty mac types. Am I wrong, Reverend Lucy? Lord Palmerston

10:38am Thu 15 Apr 10

fat Barry says...

I'm more offended by a bunch of small minded religious nutters telling me how I should be living my life, than I am by a lapdancing club opening in Oxford.
I'm more offended by a bunch of small minded religious nutters telling me how I should be living my life, than I am by a lapdancing club opening in Oxford. fat Barry

10:49am Thu 15 Apr 10

Concerned one says...

Presumably Mr. Price has extensive knowledge of such venues that he can state that the clientele are 'sleazy looking for something which is less than wholesome.' I have never entered such a venue so I certainly would not be able to comment but even if he is correct who gave him the right to act as our moral guardian? Just like National Government our local councillors look for more ways to control us all. What do you propose to ban next Mr. Price? I remember East Germany under the Stassi regime, slowly but surely we are following the same path as more and more laws are introduced because our political masters think they know what is best for us.
Presumably Mr. Price has extensive knowledge of such venues that he can state that the clientele are 'sleazy looking for something which is less than wholesome.' I have never entered such a venue so I certainly would not be able to comment but even if he is correct who gave him the right to act as our moral guardian? Just like National Government our local councillors look for more ways to control us all. What do you propose to ban next Mr. Price? I remember East Germany under the Stassi regime, slowly but surely we are following the same path as more and more laws are introduced because our political masters think they know what is best for us. Concerned one

4:30pm Thu 15 Apr 10

Chris_SCG says...

I see the puritans are back with their pseudo religious ranting. Many years ago I worked next to one of these clubs (in another city) and we never had any problems at all. Most of the clientell were businessmen entertaining customers.
I see the puritans are back with their pseudo religious ranting. Many years ago I worked next to one of these clubs (in another city) and we never had any problems at all. Most of the clientell were businessmen entertaining customers. Chris_SCG

6:26pm Thu 15 Apr 10

Terry Chandler says...

The church should sort out its child abusing priests and stop trying to dictate our lives.
Roll on May the sixth, hopefully we'll get a decent government.
The church should sort out its child abusing priests and stop trying to dictate our lives. Roll on May the sixth, hopefully we'll get a decent government. Terry Chandler

7:50pm Thu 15 Apr 10

motivated young volunteer says...

i agree with terry on this one..... but thyen i would also say change the bloody preists in the vatican and stop balming it on the gay men.
i agree with terry on this one..... but thyen i would also say change the bloody preists in the vatican and stop balming it on the gay men. motivated young volunteer

8:04pm Thu 15 Apr 10

The Youth are our future says...

“What is not appropriate is a venue which draws a rather sleazy clientele looking for something which is less than wholesome.”

How's that for money saving! A dual sign for the price of one.
“What is not appropriate is a venue which draws a rather sleazy clientele looking for something which is less than wholesome.” How's that for money saving! A dual sign for the price of one. The Youth are our future

3:10pm Fri 16 Apr 10

Lord Palmerston says...

movitated ying toluntveer,what's this balm they're putting on the gay men? It's not Balm of Gilead is it? Does it make them sad instead of gay? Come to think of it, don't you mean homosexual?
movitated ying toluntveer,what's this balm they're putting on the gay men? It's not Balm of Gilead is it? Does it make them sad instead of gay? Come to think of it, don't you mean homosexual? Lord Palmerston

4:33pm Fri 16 Apr 10

poppy721 says...

Lap dancing is "girls looking silly hanging out of poles and silly dirty old men with too much money paying for it" GET A LIFE
Lap dancing is "girls looking silly hanging out of poles and silly dirty old men with too much money paying for it" GET A LIFE poppy721

8:29pm Sat 17 Apr 10

Peter macvey says...

poppy721 wrote:
Lap dancing is "girls looking silly hanging out of poles and silly dirty old men with too much money paying for it" GET A LIFE
Poopy my dear little luv. We are not silly dirty old men. But you are right about the bit where you say we have too much money. We just like spending it, and having fun. What do you do?
[quote][p][bold]poppy721[/bold] wrote: Lap dancing is "girls looking silly hanging out of poles and silly dirty old men with too much money paying for it" GET A LIFE[/p][/quote]Poopy my dear little luv. We are not silly dirty old men. But you are right about the bit where you say we have too much money. We just like spending it, and having fun. What do you do? Peter macvey

3:39pm Mon 19 Apr 10

The Youth are our future says...

"We just like spending it, and having fun. What do you do?"

She forms real relationships luv.
"We just like spending it, and having fun. What do you do?" She forms real relationships luv. The Youth are our future

6:28pm Mon 19 Apr 10

Peter macvey says...

The Youth are our future wrote:
"We just like spending it, and having fun. What do you do?" She forms real relationships luv.
Not jealous are you mate.
[quote][p][bold]The Youth are our future[/bold] wrote: "We just like spending it, and having fun. What do you do?" She forms real relationships luv.[/p][/quote]Not jealous are you mate. Peter macvey

5:16pm Wed 21 Apr 10

motivated young volunteer says...

im sorry my spelling was not the best but i will add to my defence i was shaking from laughing at the fact that Lord palmerston knows how to describe " sleazy clientelle looking for something which is less than wholesome". Does that indicate that you are one of those sleazy clientelle Lord palmerston as you can describe them.... which would then incline that you have been to one of those places and didnt object to the lapdabcing club being opened????
im sorry my spelling was not the best but i will add to my defence i was shaking from laughing at the fact that Lord palmerston knows how to describe " sleazy clientelle looking for something which is less than wholesome". Does that indicate that you are one of those sleazy clientelle Lord palmerston as you can describe them.... which would then incline that you have been to one of those places and didnt object to the lapdabcing club being opened???? motivated young volunteer

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