Lap dancing law change could benefit campaigners

Tue 23 Feb 2010

Campaigners who hope to prevent a lap dancing licence application from being approved could be aided by upcoming changes in the law.

The Thirst Lodge bar in Oxford was granted permission to run lap dancing nights last year, but a hearing is now due after a local church appealed.

As of April 2010, people will be able to object to a lap dancing venue on the grounds of it being inappropriate to a certain area - a change which could work in the favour of local campaigners.

Kat Wall, women's officer at Oxford University Student Union, is among those opposed to Thirst Lodge's plans, as she believes a lap dancing venue could create a "very real risk" for women in the area.

She told the Oxford Mail that it would turn females into sex objects and increase the likelihood of them being sexually assaulted.

Similar views were expressed by David Reid of St Ebbe's Church, who said the lap dancing club would also lead to more crime and disorder in the region.

Robert Botkai, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "Without wishing to be known as the lap dancing solicitor, please do contact me for further information in the law relating to such venues."