Smiles all round at Jongleurs

UK comedy club chain Jongleurs is set to open nine new venues this year as part of a £2 million investment programme.

The news marks a significant change in fortunes for Jongleurs, which saw its former parent company Regent Inns fall into administration last year.

The Jongleurs brand has since returned to its founders Maria Kempinska and John Davy, with the current expansion project made possible through joint franchise ventures with Momo Leisure and Novus Leisure.

The agreement with Momo Leisure will see Jongleurs venues open in Cambridge, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle, after the partnership’s first club opened in Nottingham this April.

The collaboration with Novus Leisure, which operates the Tiger Tiger chain, saw a flagship club open last month at Sway in Covent Garden, with plans for new openings in Portsmouth, Croydon, Glasgow and Leeds.

Pointing to bright prospects for the Jongleurs offer, Davy explained: "The appetite for a complete comedy and entertainment experience is stronger than ever and we are experiencing unprecedented demand from corporate and larger group bookings in particular who are looking for an entertainment one-stop-shop."

The expansion will bring the total number of Jongleurs clubs in the UK to 11 by the end of this year, with a further roll-out in the pipeline for 2011.

Gabriel Savage, 08.06.2010