Anger at wild club night

6:20pm Friday 7th November 2008

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Calls have been made for a code of conduct to be introduced for city pubs and clubs after an event featuring topless wrestling sparked a police investigation.

The Green party on Oxford City Council said it intended to press the Town Hall to issue behaviour guidelines to venues following a Halloween “fetish” show at a nightclub which they believed highlighted a gap in current licensing laws.

The student event at Kukui in Park End Street on October 29 included topless dancers, topless jelly wrestling and a live snake.

An online listing promised “one of the naughtiest nights of the year” with “KY Jelly wrestling — naked” and “fetish snake shows involving a 12ft albino python”.

Following the event, police spoke to the manager of the 800-capacity club — which used to be called Ocean and Collins —but decided not to take further action.

Police licensing officer Tony Cope said the lack of direct participation from the club’s customers meant the law had not been broken.

He said: “Following concerns raised we went down and had a chat with the licensee.

“We viewed photos of what was going on and looked at their licence, which allows all sorts of things like the dancing and wrestling, and they had not broken the Licensing Act.

“It was a very fine line that they did not cross, but it’s a grey area.

“If they were doing pole dancing or lap dancing, that would be an issue, but this was more of a Burlesque approach.

“I’m not saying I’m condoning the topless girls and wrestling — there were a few issues, but nothing illegal.

“We sat down with the manager and discussed all the concerns. If there are any future problems they have had their warning and they can’t say they didn’t expect us to take action.”

A Kukui spokesman said the night featured “a comedy wrestling show”, and added: “The club was not aware the performers intended to remove their clothing, and when this became apparent, the manager cut the show short.”

Manager Ozzi Fanghanel said: “Kukui is committed to offering responsible entertainment and apologises for any offence caused.”

But Rachel Cummings, Oxford University Student Union vice-president for women, said: "This kind of entertainment is degrading to the women involved and to those at the club trying to enjoy the night.

“Other students, both female and male thought it completely over-stepped the line. It creates a hostile environment that we don't want to see in this city."

Green party leader Craig Simmons said: “This show has highlighted a gap in the licensing regime that needs to be addressed.

“This is not just about public decency, but also degradation to women, and animal welfare. It is not what I would call entertainment.

“The city council should draw up a code of conduct to distribute to pubs and clubs to make sure events like these do not happen in the future.

“It’s something I’ve spoken to my colleagues about and we may well be taking it up with the city council.”

Labour city councillor Colin Cook, board member for city development, said: “It’s unfortunate that such an event has occurred.

“I would hope it would not occur again and I would certainly take a very dim view of licence applications that came before me that involved that on a regular basis.”

The show promoter, 5 Star Events, was unavailable to comment.