OXFORD’S ‘premiere’ LGBTQ+ nightclub says it is ‘thrilled’ to be making the venue fully accessible for disabled people.

Recently relocated bar and club Plush Lounge is currently only reachable via a staircase – something the club said was neither ‘right nor acceptable’.

But thanks to a widely-backed community effort raising £11,000, the underground city centre venue is now installing a chairlift to allow wheelchair users to enjoy a night out.

Oxford Mail:

Disability campaigners are calling for other venues to follow Plush’s lead, after an ‘impressive’ campaign which will also see wheelchairs available to borrow.

Oxford city councillor Marie Tidball, a national disability rights activist, added: “Nearly 10 years on from the Equality Act, too many nightclubs and other venues are inaccessible for people with disabilities.

“Many congratulations to Plush in being so proactive in raising these funds to install a lift for wheelchair users at their new venue.”

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The Labour cabinet member for communities continued: “Plush is a much valued venue for LGBTQ+ communities and has been at the forefront of making nights out for people with disabilities more accessible. This is such an impressive campaign and I hope it motivates other businesses to look at their premises.”

Now in Frewin Court, off Cornmarket Street, Plush says it has already invested in improving accessibility for ‘those with physical, sensory, cognitive, mental and developmental disabilities’. It expects to be ‘fully accessible’ by Thursday, August 15.

The venue partnered with various Oxford LGBTQ+ societies, organisations, university colleges, Junior Commons Rooms and more than 90 private individuals to help raise the funds in early April, with its Plush For All Accessibility Campaign.

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Operations director Stuart Hayles explained that the venue was ‘amazed by the community’s generosity’, adding: “This success is beyond our expectations. Plush has immediately moved forward with the building works needed to facilitate the installation of the chair lift.

“All necessary equipment, including the bespoke chairlift, has been ordered and is currently in production.”

The 2010-founded club said that both powered and un-powered house wheelchairs have been ordered for customers whose wheelchairs are ‘heavy or unwieldy’.

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The club, which left Park End Street in January, said that any money leftover after the work was finished would be donated to an LGBTQ+ charity, ‘in consultations with local groups’.

Paul Scarrott, a trustee of an Oxford disability charity, said: “My Life My Choice has been working with Plush for many years as they used to help us with our learning disability nightclub (Stingray). We are delighted that they have been able to make their new venue accessible and welcoming.

“People with disabilities want to have a fun night out too and there are not enough places in Oxford where this is possible. We hope their example will lead others to improve access too.”