A NIGHTCLUB for than 200 people with learning disabilities could close after the comedy club which hosted it went into administration.
Stingray Nightclub, organised and run by charity My Life My Choice, has been held every two months for the past two years at Jongleurs in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford.
But since the venue shut its doors last month, the club has been left homeless.
Voluntary manager Paul Scarrott said members were “devastated” at the closure and hoped to find new premises before their next event on Tuesday.
He said: “We really hope there is somebody out there who can help us put a nightclub event on before November 10.
“This may be a big ask but our club is really special.
“It’s run by and for people with learning disabilities. We train people to be DJs, rappers and break-dancers.
“We also had guest performers from Anjali Dance lined up on the night.
“There are going to be a lot of upset people unless we manage to turn this around.”
My Life My Choice, based in Park End Street, aims to help people with learning disabilities speak up for themselves, make choices and live better lives.
The nightclub events were launched in 2007 to celebrate the charity’s 10th anniversary.
Charity co-ordinator Mark Smyth said: “The nightclub has been brilliant. We get coachloads of people coming from across Oxfordshire.
“For many of the people who attend the evening, there’s not another night like it.
“Stingray Nightclub offers a safe environment for them where they can let their hair down, but which is like any other nightclub.
“It’s really important for so many people that the club can continue, and I would appeal to anybody who can help us to step forward.”
Jongleurs, and the adjoining Bar Risa, was shut down after its owner Regent Inns went into administration. Fifteen jobs were lost.
In a statement released last week, the new owners of the Jongleurs chain, Intertain, said: “Sadly, we can confirm that Jongleurs in Hythe Bridge Street has closed, as the economics are such that long-term viability cannot be assured.”
dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk Anyone who can help the Stingray Nightclub to find a new venue should send an email to stingrayarts@yahoo.co.uk or see mylifemychoice.org.uk
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