Jongleurs brand name to return to founder

Ten Jongleurs venues acquired by new company Intertain after Regent Inns went into administration, will trade under the same name until January 2.

After that date the control of the brand will return to Jongleurs founder Maria Kempinska.

Intertain, run by former Regent Inns chief executive John Leslie, intends to continue running the 10 venues for comedy but has yet to confirm details of how they will be packaged.

A statement from Intertain said: "On 20 October 2009 Intertain Limited acquired 10 live entertainment venues as part of a package of 60 trading assets, from the joint administrators of Regent Inns.

"Intertain has now entered into a brand licensing agreement with Jongleurs Comedy Limited to continue to run these 10 venues as Jongleurs Comedy Clubs until 2 January 2010."

Last week The Publican​ reported that the pre-pack deal saved 1,800 jobs with around 160 staff losing their jobs as a result of nine sites, including the Walkabout bar on London's Shaftesbury Avenue, being closed.

Twelve sites, including nine Old Orleans restaurants, have been sold to Punch Taverns.