'Sleazy' strip club is 'amazing', panel told

7:00am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

CUSTOMERS of the only strip club in Oxford have urged council bosses to renew its licence with praise for its “amazing” ladies.

But objectors said The Lodge should be forced to close as it is near a college, ice rink and coach park and objectifies women.

The Oxpens Road venue has applied to Oxford City Council to renew its sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence from the authority.

In public responses published by the council – where names are blacked out – one says it is “one of the best clubs I have ever visited”.

He said: “This club provides excellent entertainment of high standard and I frequently take my wife with me when visiting.”

The entertainment is “at a level that others would do well to aspire to” he added.

One said: “The expertise exhibited by these ladies whilst carrying out their craft is truly amazing.”

One dancer said she “truly enjoys” the job, saying it “pays towards the necessities of life which my full-time job cannot currently fulfil”.

The club, formerly The Coven, got the licence last June after losing the right to continue as Thirst Lodge in Pennyfarthing Place over concerns about its town centre location.

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Co-owner Al Thompson said The Lodge said: “Nothing in our location has changed to deem the location inappropriate.”

Eighteen objections were received with concerns over its location opposite Oxford & Cherwell Valley College’s main campus, and near the ice rink and coach park.

Susanna Pressel, Labour city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said: “This sleazy club is an insult to women and unworthy of our city.”

St Ebbe’s New Development Residents’ Association said the location is “most inappropriate for entertainment of this sort”.

It said: “It would be hard to find a place in Oxford more full of impressionable young people.”

The council’s licensing and registration sub-committee will be asked to make a decision on September 24.

Comments (12)

9:26am Tue 11 Sep 12

Bartsimpson_uk says...

The club is open late at night until the early hours of the morning. The College, Ice rink and coach park is closed then, so whats the problem. Also what do they expect to happen, men lurking round the corner in rain coats waiting to expose themselves??? Get over yourself Pressel, and deal with matters that realy means something.
The club is open late at night until the early hours of the morning. The College, Ice rink and coach park is closed then, so whats the problem. Also what do they expect to happen, men lurking round the corner in rain coats waiting to expose themselves??? Get over yourself Pressel, and deal with matters that realy means something. Bartsimpson_uk

9:57am Tue 11 Sep 12

Dilligaf2010 says...

I have the utmost respect for women, and although I've never visited such an establishment, I'm also yet to hear of anyone in this Country being forced to perform in one against their will.
As Bart mentioned, the hours that the establishment is open, coincide with when the others in the area are closed, although as it's not an open-air venue, I don't see why opening hours are an issue.
The ladies that perform, do so by choice, and one would hope, get treated with respect, if thy weren't they wouldn't be there, some people appear to have the opinion that women aren't able to think for themselves, I assure you they can.
If there have been no crimes committed at the establishment, the licence should be renewed.
I have the utmost respect for women, and although I've never visited such an establishment, I'm also yet to hear of anyone in this Country being forced to perform in one against their will. As Bart mentioned, the hours that the establishment is open, coincide with when the others in the area are closed, although as it's not an open-air venue, I don't see why opening hours are an issue. The ladies that perform, do so by choice, and one would hope, get treated with respect, if thy weren't they wouldn't be there, some people appear to have the opinion that women aren't able to think for themselves, I assure you they can. If there have been no crimes committed at the establishment, the licence should be renewed. Dilligaf2010

12:51pm Tue 11 Sep 12

iklhik says...

If women want to do this line of work - and enjoy the associated high pay - then good for them. Oxpens Road is full of hideous buildings anyway so it's not like the club will be in the corner of any tourist's photos.
If women want to do this line of work - and enjoy the associated high pay - then good for them. Oxpens Road is full of hideous buildings anyway so it's not like the club will be in the corner of any tourist's photos. iklhik

1:05pm Tue 11 Sep 12

Andrew:Oxford says...

Maybe Ms Pressel should work in there for a few weeks...
Maybe Ms Pressel should work in there for a few weeks... Andrew:Oxford

2:37pm Tue 11 Sep 12

sparky123456 says...

Susanna Pressel. I am a man. I know girls that dance there. They earn upwards of £100k in the form of wages and gifts. Do they feel objectified? No, not in their words. I regularly hear stories of some top earners getting upwards of £250k. Many are taken on holidays, given keys to plush apartments and turn up to their job in brand new cars.
They don't have to work. They get on the books of the club and then choose to dance. Much like renting a chair in a hairdressers, the club takes a cut. Pressel. Do you earn this much? have you spoken to the dancers? or even visited the club. Or have you taken it upon yourself to form an opinion then stuff it down the throats of the other 150,000 or so people in Oxford without asking what they think.
In fact 18 objections out of a population of this size should NOT be listened to. Unless a majority object out of a substantial poll then why stop what is after all a tax paying enterprise that provides employment opportunities in an otherwise run down area of town.
Whilst i'm on my high horse, what makes citing the club here any worse than say Thirst nightclub being on Park End Street? That area is the gateway to the city from the station, it's also near churches, the uni and the college and almost opposite Malmaisson and the 'cultural' (pahahaha) area of Oxford. but they're deemed fine.
I bet, in fact I'd stake my house and 100% of my future earnings on it if you, under the freedom of information act request the number of police interventions and call outs to Park End St versus call outs to the Lodge you will find a huge difference. So why is alcohol fine but strippers not?
Alcohol causes, violence, rapes, anti-social behaviour, illness and a strain on public sector services. Any proven link that strippers do?
Susanna Pressel. I am a man. I know girls that dance there. They earn upwards of £100k in the form of wages and gifts. Do they feel objectified? No, not in their words. I regularly hear stories of some top earners getting upwards of £250k. Many are taken on holidays, given keys to plush apartments and turn up to their job in brand new cars. They don't have to work. They get on the books of the club and then choose to dance. Much like renting a chair in a hairdressers, the club takes a cut. Pressel. Do you earn this much? have you spoken to the dancers? or even visited the club. Or have you taken it upon yourself to form an opinion then stuff it down the throats of the other 150,000 or so people in Oxford without asking what they think. In fact 18 objections out of a population of this size should NOT be listened to. Unless a majority object out of a substantial poll then why stop what is after all a tax paying enterprise that provides employment opportunities in an otherwise run down area of town. Whilst i'm on my high horse, what makes citing the club here any worse than say Thirst nightclub being on Park End Street? That area is the gateway to the city from the station, it's also near churches, the uni and the college and almost opposite Malmaisson and the 'cultural' (pahahaha) area of Oxford. but they're deemed fine. I bet, in fact I'd stake my house and 100% of my future earnings on it if you, under the freedom of information act request the number of police interventions and call outs to Park End St versus call outs to the Lodge you will find a huge difference. So why is alcohol fine but strippers not? Alcohol causes, violence, rapes, anti-social behaviour, illness and a strain on public sector services. Any proven link that strippers do? sparky123456

6:47pm Tue 11 Sep 12

mighty bee says...

What the article fails to mention is that there were more letters of support than letters of objection.
What the article fails to mention is that there were more letters of support than letters of objection. mighty bee

6:55pm Tue 11 Sep 12

faatmaan says...

why are people objecting to this, yet are mute when the exhibition currently at modern art oxford, is very explicit with what can only be described as adult content, but this is art !
why are people objecting to this, yet are mute when the exhibition currently at modern art oxford, is very explicit with what can only be described as adult content, but this is art ! faatmaan

4:44pm Thu 13 Sep 12

still awake says...

I am assuming Susanna Pressel has visited the club while it was open otherwise i don't see how her comment of "this sleazy club is an insult to women an unworthy of our city" can be justified. Surely she cannot make sure a damning comment without experiencing the venue? I sincerely hope so I don't think it is appropriate to make such a comment without some kind of research, after all the decision to renew or not renew the license has implications on peoples livelihoods. It is completely out of order for a elected official to make such a comment based purely on an uneducated opinion and what i suggest will also be her personal opinion.

Only 18 objections from a city the size of Oxford is such a small amount i am amazed not renewing the license is even being considered by the council. Especially as i am sure many of those objections will be based on either religious opinions or that the club degrades women. If being paid potentially large sums of money to remove clothes was degrading then i think you should look at the situation more carefully. Also any objections on religious grounds should be ignored out of hand, i have no problem with religious people until they begin to force their views on to me or society as a whole.
I am assuming Susanna Pressel has visited the club while it was open otherwise i don't see how her comment of "this sleazy club is an insult to women an unworthy of our city" can be justified. Surely she cannot make sure a damning comment without experiencing the venue? I sincerely hope so I don't think it is appropriate to make such a comment without some kind of research, after all the decision to renew or not renew the license has implications on peoples livelihoods. It is completely out of order for a elected official to make such a comment based purely on an uneducated opinion and what i suggest will also be her personal opinion. Only 18 objections from a city the size of Oxford is such a small amount i am amazed not renewing the license is even being considered by the council. Especially as i am sure many of those objections will be based on either religious opinions or that the club degrades women. If being paid potentially large sums of money to remove clothes was degrading then i think you should look at the situation more carefully. Also any objections on religious grounds should be ignored out of hand, i have no problem with religious people until they begin to force their views on to me or society as a whole. still awake

6:20pm Thu 13 Sep 12

docs says...

Of all the locations in Oxford, the present location is one of the least offensive possible, it seems to me. If Cllr Pressel thinks that this lawful business should not exist, that is her opinion, but to argue that it should be elsewhere is entirely spurious.
Of all the locations in Oxford, the present location is one of the least offensive possible, it seems to me. If Cllr Pressel thinks that this lawful business should not exist, that is her opinion, but to argue that it should be elsewhere is entirely spurious. docs

9:32pm Thu 4 Oct 12

Neil Woodcock says...

still awake wrote:
I am assuming Susanna Pressel has visited the club while it was open otherwise i don't see how her comment of "this sleazy club is an insult to women an unworthy of our city" can be justified. Surely she cannot make sure a damning comment without experiencing the venue? I sincerely hope so I don't think it is appropriate to make such a comment without some kind of research, after all the decision to renew or not renew the license has implications on peoples livelihoods. It is completely out of order for a elected official to make such a comment based purely on an uneducated opinion and what i suggest will also be her personal opinion.

Only 18 objections from a city the size of Oxford is such a small amount i am amazed not renewing the license is even being considered by the council. Especially as i am sure many of those objections will be based on either religious opinions or that the club degrades women. If being paid potentially large sums of money to remove clothes was degrading then i think you should look at the situation more carefully. Also any objections on religious grounds should be ignored out of hand, i have no problem with religious people until they begin to force their views on to me or society as a whole.
Well said and sums it all up perfectly!
[quote][p][bold]still awake[/bold] wrote: I am assuming Susanna Pressel has visited the club while it was open otherwise i don't see how her comment of "this sleazy club is an insult to women an unworthy of our city" can be justified. Surely she cannot make sure a damning comment without experiencing the venue? I sincerely hope so I don't think it is appropriate to make such a comment without some kind of research, after all the decision to renew or not renew the license has implications on peoples livelihoods. It is completely out of order for a elected official to make such a comment based purely on an uneducated opinion and what i suggest will also be her personal opinion. Only 18 objections from a city the size of Oxford is such a small amount i am amazed not renewing the license is even being considered by the council. Especially as i am sure many of those objections will be based on either religious opinions or that the club degrades women. If being paid potentially large sums of money to remove clothes was degrading then i think you should look at the situation more carefully. Also any objections on religious grounds should be ignored out of hand, i have no problem with religious people until they begin to force their views on to me or society as a whole.[/p][/quote]Well said and sums it all up perfectly! Neil Woodcock

6:29pm Sun 7 Oct 12

kiddykidster says...

It's to my digust that i read this article, before i discuss the specfic issue around the entertainement at the venue lets first discuss the business itself. Firsty the council should be supporting Al Thompson , he's taking frankly a ran down club and invested a lot of money in creating a first class entertainment venue.The venue is very well presented and looks amazing. You should be supporting anyone that is willing to start a legal business in this struggling city with Open arms. As regards to the venue itself it's very well hidden away and without entering the club you wouldn't know the type of venue it is. I've been there several times and spoken to the girls and the overwhelming response is the club is very professional and many of the girls travel from all over the home counties because the envoirment is safe and they enjoy workig there. It's also great to here the Managment look after the girls. This needs to be viewed as a new business like any other and supported in that way.
It's to my digust that i read this article, before i discuss the specfic issue around the entertainement at the venue lets first discuss the business itself. Firsty the council should be supporting Al Thompson , he's taking frankly a ran down club and invested a lot of money in creating a first class entertainment venue.The venue is very well presented and looks amazing. You should be supporting anyone that is willing to start a legal business in this struggling city with Open arms. As regards to the venue itself it's very well hidden away and without entering the club you wouldn't know the type of venue it is. I've been there several times and spoken to the girls and the overwhelming response is the club is very professional and many of the girls travel from all over the home counties because the envoirment is safe and they enjoy workig there. It's also great to here the Managment look after the girls. This needs to be viewed as a new business like any other and supported in that way. kiddykidster

2:29pm Thu 13 Dec 12

slygirl says...

So many people like to get on their high moral horse!!! The club isn't hurting anyone. You should hear what they get up to behind the Rink !?!?
So many people like to get on their high moral horse!!! The club isn't hurting anyone. You should hear what they get up to behind the Rink !?!? slygirl

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