It's in the lap of the gods (From Oxford Mail)

It's in the lap of the gods

7:00am Saturday 24th January 2009

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A nightclub has sparked outrage after applying to run lapdancing nights just yards from one of Oxford’s busiest churches.

Managers at Thirst Lodge, in Penny Farthing Street, face opposition from neighbours at St Ebbe’s Church – and worshippers are furious after learning that the period when the public could comment on the lapdance proposals had passed without them being made aware of the plan.

The club’s managers have insisted any lapdancing will be in accordance with licensing conditions.

They would not say how often Thirst Lodge planned to host lapdancing nights.

But Mark Abraham, church manager at St Ebbe’s, said: “We have so many people coming to our church, including young people, who attend during the evenings all through the week.

"Having them right next to a lapdancing club is one thing, but we are also worried about the type of people it will attract.

"It would be 20 feet from our front door.

“But it is not only the fact that it is so close to a church.

A lapdancing club would damage the good name of Oxford.

"We don’t want this in any form at all.”

Thirst Lodge has asked Oxford City Council whether it can change its licence to allow the performance of dance and music, but does not specify ‘lapdancing’.

Alistair Thompson, director of Thirst Lodge, said: “Following the submission of an application to run a lapdancing venue, we will be seeking to meet all licensing objectives.”

There is no legal requirement to inform local residents or businesses, other than to put a note outside the premises and advertise in a local newspaper.

The church estimates it attracts 1,000 people every week, including for several Sunday services, and social events for children under 10 and teenagers during weekday evenings.

Rector Vaughan Roberts said: “We at St Ebbes Church are confident that the vast majority or citizens of Oxford would share our view that this proposed club is not only unacceptable next to our building but anywhere in our city and that very strong opposition to the application would have been expressed if it had been known to the public.”

The period public consultation ended last Monday.

A lapdancing and pole dancing night held at Bar Baby, in Cowley Road, stopped in 2007.

There are two other lapdancing clubs in Oxfordshire, St James’ Gentleman’s Club in Banbury, and Diamonds and Pearls, which opens in Henley this weekend.

Margaret Coombs, of Divinity Road, who campaigned against the lapdancing in Cowley Road, said: “Lapdancing is degrading to women and undesirable. “I don’t think they are a good thing and can lead to disturbances outside.”

Oxford City Council is holding a licensing hearing at Oxford Town Hall on Thursday, from 5pm. matt.wilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk

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