Jongleurs to make ’em laugh louder with growth in clubs

UK’s comedy club Jongleurs Comedy Group, which has been tickling the funny bone of audiences for over a quarter of a century, will debut on London’s junior market in the next 12 to 18 months to fund its growth plans.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Oct 2011, 07:00 BST

The company already has 19 franchises in clubs and theatres across the UK, and plans to cheer more audiences by increasing this to 30 by 2014.

Jongleurs, credited with building the careers of comedians Peter Kay, Eddy Izzard, Harry Hill, Rhod Gilbert and Michael McIntyre, plans to launch seven clubs over the next three years as the shop window for the group.

The company will also raise about £500,000 through a private placement ahead of the listing.

Financial services group Webb Capital said in a statement that it would raise these funds for Jongleurs.

Jongleurs’ turnover for 2011 is seen at £1.9m, rising to an expected £10.3m in 2013 and about £22.43m by 2014.

The company, which was founded in 1983 by chief executive Maria Kempinska, was sold to Regent Inns in August 2000 for £30m.

However, in October 2009, it invoked the right to take back the brand after Regent Inns carried out a corporate restructuring process.

London