Chain denies rumours

Jongleurs has denied rumours that more comedy clubs face the axe in the wake of this week’s company upheavals.

Five venues – in Southampton, Nottingham, Bristol, Oxford and Bow – closed without warning as parent company Regent Inns went into administration.

The group, now without its most troubled venues, was then immediately brought out by a new company called Intertain., headed by Regent’s former chief executive, John Leslie.

However, the comedy circuit has been awash with rumours that the remaining ten Jongleurs clubs remain under threat of closure.

A spokesman for the company today attempted to quosh those fears, telling Chortle: ‘I can confirm that there is no truth to those rumours. There are no plansrnto shut any clubs, other than the five that were closed this week.’

However, specialist estate agent Christie + Co still appeared to be offering to sell the lease on the Edinburgh site this morning. Landlords want £350,000 a year rent, with a 2008 review still pending.

The company is also still marketing the site of Cardiff Jongleurs, nine month after the club closed with the loss of 50 jobs. Rent here is £313,745 a year.

Around 160 of Regent’s 1,960 staff will lose their jobs in the shake-up, which also means the loss of 12 Old Orleans restaurants and three Walkabout bars from the portfolio as the company becomes Intertain.

Regent Inns applied for a trademark on the new company name as early as August, for the provision of bar and entertainment services.

Chief executive Leslie told trade newspaper The Publican: ‘The process we have undertaken is in the best interests of both the creditors and the staff.’

With the debt write-off and fewer venues, it’s hoped the new company will have a better chance of success.

Troubled Regent had delisted from the stock exchange in June, making it more difficult to trade in shares but freeing it from the costs of being in the market.

Published: 23 Oct 2009