COMMUNITY groups united to stage a demonstration against plans to run lapdancing nights at an Oxford bar.

Members of St Ebbe’s Church, in Pennyfarthing Place, have been leading the fight against an application by neighbours Thirst Lodge to host lapdancing.

The city council’s licensing committee approved the plan in December, but the church appealed and a hearing is scheduled to take place at Oxford Magistrates’ Court next month.

Yesterday, about 100 protesters gathered in Bonn Square to appeal for support from members of the public.

Members of the church came together with residents, students and leaders of the Muslim community in opposition to the plan.

David Reid, a curate at St Ebbe’s Church, told the crowd: “As Christians we are concerned for the welfare of the city and feel this would not be good for Oxford because it would have a detrimental effect on crime and disorder, and could lead to a rise in sex assaults in the area around the club.”

Kat Wall, women’s officer at Oxford University Student Union, added: “There is a very real risk posed to students and other women in the community if this goes forward. It’s turning women into sex objects and increasing the risk of them being harmed in the local community. Everyone seems to be opposed to this.”

Dr Hojjat Ramzy, a spokesman for Oxford’s Muslim community, said: “It is disgraceful to open a club like this in front of one of the most respectable churches, St Ebbe’s.

“These clubs deceive our daughters and treat them as sex entertainment not as human beings, just for a fistful of dirty money.”

City council leader Bob Price told protesters the council would use new legislation due in April to force clubs like Thirst Lodge to re-apply for a licence as a sex establishment.

He said: “The law has not helped us in the past, but in April we intend to adopt stronger powers and have a general prohibition on these type of clubs across the city.”

Liberal Democrat councillor for Carfax Stephen Brown said the lapdancing bar should not be situated in the city’s West End where the local authorities have ambitious regeneration plans.

He said: “There are lots of residents in this area and plans for the Westgate Centre and a new Story Museum. This is simply not the place for it.”

Brewers Greene King said the bar was under new management, Warwood Ltd, who could not be contacted by the Oxford Mail.

It is not known how the change in management would affect the lapdancing plan.

Andy Spencer, business development director for Greene King, said: “Greene King has exchanged contracts to sell the Thirst Lodge to Warwood Limited.

“The premises licence has been transferred to Warwood and the running of the venue is now solely in their hands.”

No one from Thirst Lodge was available for comment.

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk