Oxford strip club to appeal against licence refusal
Oxford's only lap-dancing club is taking a battle over its sexual entertainment licence to the Court of Appeal.
The Lodge Gentlemen's Club, in Oxpens Road, shut temporarily after the High Court upheld Oxford City Council's decision to refuse it a new licence.
However, it quickly reopened following the decision in June and has now been granted the right of appeal.
The city council has said it plans to contest the appeal.
The club had moved to alternative premises in 2011, after previously being denied a licence to operate next to St Ebbe's Church in Pennyfarthing Place.
The city council refused to renew its licence in October, saying it was inappropriate for the area.
The club had challenged the reasons the council gave for refusing the licence and also argued "irrelevant and inaccurate factors" were taken into account when considering the area's character.
But Mr Justice Haddon-Cave dismissed the appeal at the High Court.
In a statement, the club's owner Alistair Thompson said: "Following on from our surprise at the judicial review we are pleased to have confirmation that the Court of Appeal has granted us permission to appeal the High Court decision."
A date for the appeal hearing is yet to be set.