LAP DANCING bosses have trained their sights on a new venue close to Oxford Ice Rink as they fight to stay open in the city.

Owners of The Lodge club, in St Ebbes, which have been ordered to stop all sexual entertainment next week, have turned their attention to The Coven club in Oxpens Road.

An application to allow lap dancing, pole dancing and strip shows at the venue, opposite Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, has been filed with Oxford City Council.

The Lodge’s owner Al Thompson said a move to Oxpens Road would satisfy the concerns of the club’s current neighbours, St Ebbes Church, and Oxford City Council, which refused to renew the club’s licence as it was close to a church, shopping centre and tourist attractions.

Mr Thompson said: “It is tucked out of the way with a car park. We are not applying to have it open in the day. It would not impact on anybody.”

If the licence application is successful, Mr Thompson said the club would look to take over the lease and refit the building as a lap dancing club.

The Coven currently operates as a nightclub and stages events by dance acts including Project Storm.

The Lodge owns its present building, in Pennyfarthing Place, and has already had preliminary discussions with city planners about redeveloping the site as studentflats. The club would also drop its High Court challenge of the council’s decision to refuse a licence at its current location.

Mr Thompson believed the club could win the challenge to stay open in Pennyfarthing Place, but added: “We don’t want to fall out with neighbours forever and drag each other through the courts every 12 months (when the licence was up for renewal).”

But he said if The Coven plan failed, he would continue the High Court fight to remain at The Lodge.

The sexual entertainment venue licence application will be heard by a committee of city councillors, but a date has yet to be set. Anyone who wants to comment on the licensing application must do so, to Oxford City Council, by June 17.

Hannah Clare, who works at Oxford’s Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, opposed plans for the club to remain at its current premises on the basis lap dancing objectified women. She said: “The same issues affect the community whether it is at The Lodge or at The Coven.

“I have the same concerns about it objectifying women. It doesn’t matter where it’s happening, it is still happening within our community.”

The city council originally allowed lap dancing at The Lodge in 2009. But under new powers, applications for lap dancing clubs can now be refused if they are near schools, play areas, shops, churches or tourist hot spots.

In February, the council refused The Lodge’s application for a sexual entertainment venue licence, on the grounds it was “inappropriate” given the character of the area and of neighbouring premises.

The Oxford Mail was unable to contact the Coven for a comment.

St Ebbes Church declined to comment last night.

Louisa Dean, spokesman for the city council, said: “The Coven has applied for a sexual entertainment venue licence. The deadline for public consultation is June 17. We would anticipate that there would be a committee hearing”

The council said it was still waiting for a date for the judicial review regarding the Lodge.

TIMELINE

  • December 2009: The Lodge granted a variation to its licence, under the licensing Act 2003, to allow lap dancing.
  • February 2010: Neighbouring St Ebbes Church appeals against council decision
  • February 2010: Lap dancing available at the club, private dances £20.
  • June 2010: Amended legislation requires a sexual entertainment venue licence for lap dancing clubs.
  • June 2010: Judge dismisses the Church’s appeal.
  • February 2011: The Lodge’s application for a sexual entertainment venue licence is refused by city council.
  • March 2011: The Lodge prepares to challenge the council’s decision through a judicial review.
  • May 2011: Owners of The Lodge apply for sexual entertainment venue licence at The Coven in Oxpens Road.
  • June 2011: Lap dancing must halt at The Lodge when licence expires on June 10.