Manchester disappoints Jongleurs

Jongleurs bosses have admitted they are disappointed with the performance of their Manchester site.

The company takes an average of £39,200 a week at each of its 13 venues, but in Manchester it is just £11,600.

The overall figure is 8.2 per cent down on last year -attributed to Manchester dragging the average down, and the effects of Septmber 11.

Writing in the annual report of parent company Regent Inns, chief executive Stephen Haupt said: " Despite difficult trading conditions in the second quarter, mainly as a reaction to the September 11th tragedy, the brand returned a very strong trading performance in December.

"In the second half of the year, the brand experienced more stable trading conditions with strong occupancies in the clubs throughout the spring and early summer, helped by the considerable growth of the membership database.

"Our Manchester venue, however, has continued to trade beneath our expectations. Nevertheless, we remain optimistic about the site's potential."

In contrast, new Jongleurs sites in Birmingham and Cardiff have both performed better than expected.

The company is opening further venues in Leeds and Reading in December, with a Bristol site next on the agenda.

The company hopes to open its 20th venue in 2003, but the report does not disclose where.

Published: 2 Oct 2002