Original owners have big plans

The founders of Jongleurs plan to open ten new comedy venues in the next two years.

The first of the new clubs will open in Hammersmith, West London, later this month, with another planned in the capital before Christmas.

Maria Kempinska and John Davy have taken back control of the Jongleurs brand name following the collapse of Regent Inns, who brought a 51 per stake in the company from the couple in 2000 for £8.5million.

As Chortle reported last week, the existing Jongleurs clubs will have to be renamed after the busy Christmas period, leaving Kempinska and Davy free to build a new Jongleurs empire.

They have sent an email to comedians setting out their plans.

Kempinska promised: ‘We are in control of everything and it’s going be a great time for comedy. The new clubs are totally under our watchful eye , so expect the attention to detail, we always used to have, that makes for a great show. We will be monitoring the audience so no “out of hand” stags and hens.’

The Hammersmith venue will open on November 28.

Kempinska established the first Jongleurs club in Battersea in 1983, when she was a drama teacher, and was joined by Davy in 1985.

Published: 2 Nov 2009