Former cinema goes on market for £350,000

THE former home of Jesters Comedy Club in Cheltenham Road has been put up for sale.

Metropolis – a converted cinema, which once housed the popular comedy brand and saw performances by live bands and regular burlesque cabaret nights – is now on the market for £350,000.

The building has been put up for sale by the receivers.

Jesters, which first opened in 1995, played host to many of Britain's best-known stand-up comedians including Bristol's own Justin Lee Collins and Keynsham-born Bill Bailey, as well as Peter Kay, Catherine Tate, Little Britain's Matt Lucas, Alistair McGowan, Jimmy Carr and Russell Brand.

Owner David Trew had to move Jesters out of the building, which he leased, in October after costs spiralled.

Mr Trew re-branded Jesters as Riproar Comedy and has moved to The Cresswell Centre, owned by Bristol Cathedral Choir School, in College Square.

Many people remember the historic red-brick building as being a cinema, originally called the Cheltenham, but it also went through spells as the Plaza and the Academy.

In 1955 the building was bought by a Christian group to be used as a place of worship, becoming the Christadelphian Hall.

In 1998, JD Wetherspoon opened it as a pub called the Magic Box and gave it a £1 million makeover to convert it from an old cinema to a modern drinking and eating establishment.

Jesters was originally housed across the road in what went on to become the controversial Tesco Express store that was the focus of riots last year.

But Jesters moved to the grade II-listed Metropolis in 2008.

Since October, when Jesters moved out, the building has stood empty and abandoned.

It was boarded up in January, when the Evening Post reported that it was back in the hands of its landlord, who lives in Harrow, and there were no signs outside indicating it was for sale.

There has already been some interest in the building, according to the estate agent.

One low offer has already been turned down.

On the company's website it lists a range of features that potential developers can expect to find in the building.

The building is described as a 'substantial detached property with access from Cheltenham Road and Sydenham Lane'.

It says the building has a 'large open plan room at its core, with viewing gallery, fully functioning stage and very high ceilings'.

It also includes offices, a kitchen, a bar, toilets, rear car parking space and an external smoking/drinking area.

The property consultants point out that the building is 'situated in a popular location for bars, cafes and independent retailers' that it calls a 'vibrant and busy neighbourhood'.