Now Glee Club announces new venue

The battle for comedy audiences in Nottingham has intensified with the news that the Glee club is to open a venue in the city.

The company, which has well-established bases in Birmingham and Cardiff, has secured the former Jongleurs club in the city.

It follows a similar deal in Oxford, where it again occupied the site vacated by Jongleurs following the collapse of owner Regent Inns.

But Nottingham is proving to be a more competitive market, as Jongleurs has already returned to the city under a franchise deal struck between local businessmen and Maria Kempinska, the founder of the chain who won back the rights to use the name following Regent’s failure. Meanwhile, well-established local club Just The Tonic is also opening a 400-capacity venue in September.

That is the same month Glee is launching in the British Waterways Building in Canal Street, following a ‘substantial’ refit. Once complete the venue will offer a 450-seat main room, and a 250-seat studio, plus a ground floor café.

Glee boss Mark Tughan said: ‘Nottingham may be a little crowded now, with three large clubs. But Nottingham is quite a large city and we are confident that, as has happened before, quality will win the day.’

The new club launches on September 15 with a show from Rich Hall, followed by Shappi Khorsandi on the 16th. Just The Tonic launches at the Cornerhouse on September 16 with two special shows from Johnny Vegas.

Published: 5 Jul 2010