A DECISION will be made today on a gay club’s plan to move further down an Oxford street, which has been opposed by police.

Plush Lounge is currently based at the Jam Factory at 27 Park End Street but wants to move into 10 Park End Street, according to city council documents.

It plans to sell alcohol until 3.30am on Fridays and Saturdays and close half an hour later. Police said that would make it the ‘latest operating licensed premises’ in Oxford.

The venue is praised as ‘exemplary’ for its previous handling of antisocial behaviour by police.

But in a report Thames Valley Police said it would ‘only exacerbate’ antisocial behaviour and they could not support it.

The force explained ‘issues that fall outside the venue’s direct control’ were of most concern, adding: “We are of a view that this new application will only increase the footfall of the public and indeed retain this footfall directly into this specific area.

“Many of these individuals will be under the influence of alcohol, whether that is from preloading prior to going out or subsequently throughout their evening up until closing time. It is our view that the result of this increase retention directly into the area will only further add to the cumulative effect and see increases in demand on policing for this area.”

If it moves, Plush Lounge would occupy a unit formerly used by Efes Meze Bar between 2011 and 2015.

The application seems to contradict a message sent out by the Plush Lounge on its Facebook page in November when it said it was planning to move into the former premises of Oxford's Purple Turtle nightclub.

In the post, Plush said it was moving out of its current premises in Park End Street on New Year’s Eve because they will be renovated and was moving into premises below the Oxford Union in Frewin Court, just off Cornmarket Street.

The city council’s licensing committee will made a judgement tonight.