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It was 'The Oxford Venue' but typically referred to as The Venue.
== 1987-1989 ==
When the Women's Centre stopped running women only discos, I was looking for a suitable replacement venue. In those days the Lesbian and Gay community was largely hidden because of open prejudice, so the idea of finding an organisation willing to take us was problematic. However, when I approached the then Education Officer of the Cooperative Society, he readily agreed that myself and Kim Williams could host a mixed Lesbian and Gay disco, provided that we cleared up and out by 11.00 pm hence the name, Early Gaze Disco! The disco became a resounding success and the bar was provided by the New Inn, alternating with local charity groups such as Oxford Friend, Rape Crisis and Lesbian Line. It may interest people to know that our mentor, the Education Officer, was Andrew Smith, who later became our local MP.
After success of the fortnightly disco, the lack of a legal number of toilets, lack of soundproofing and lack of fire escape, meant that the Coop decided to offer the hall up for lease rather than carrying out the necessary works. I was given the first chance of securing the lease for £11,000, which I could not afford!! Two young men came forward with necessary funds and plans, and after their work was approved, the Coop Hall was renamed the Venue, and became a Mecca for live bands.
== 1986 ==