The state of the toilets at music and comedy venue Alexander’s had been a long-standing joke but new owner Jamie Northrop is feeling flushed after the loos were given a glamorous make-over.

Jamie worked his barman’s fingers and toes off to get the Rufus Court premises in Chester ready for the grand re-opening back in January following a £30,000 refurbishment.

But Jamie, who enlisted the help of mum Caroline, dad Mike and brother Jonny for the main refurbishment, always stressed the revamp would be in stages.

The toilet doors at Alexander's featuring Jim Morrison and Madonna.

Now the loos are finally ready and fit for royalty to sit on.

A unique touch is that the toilet doors were painted by good friend and artist Glen Cross and feature the faces of iconic stars Jim Morrison, the late lead singer of The Doors, and Madonna who once demanded new toilet seats on tour.

Jamie teasingly admits there is a story behind the choice of artists but says this is ‘just something that customers will have to come and ask him about’.

Anyone who had been to the venue before Jamie took over would know the toilets were infamous in Chester for their cracked tiles, bad smells and worn out floors. But the pristine powder rooms now feature new toilets, sinks, cubicles, tiles, modern mirrors and all the accessories.

The gents even have waterless urinals and the toilets are decorated minimally but with ‘an edgy music and performance twist’ courtesy of the display of vinyl records and artwork. Look out for other little quirky features.

The gents' urinals at Alexander's in Chester.

Explaining the story behind the rest room restoration, Jamie said: “It was extremely important for us to get the toilets refurbished as a venue is very often judged on its cleanliness, by the state of its loos etc.

“I know I do that all the time! I am really happy with how the refurbishment has gone and it’s so nice to have things starting to all come together. I only wish we could’ve somehow extended the space to make the toilets less cramped but obviously with the toilets being on the first floor we are limited to the space that we have.

The sink in the gents at Alexander's with copper pipework courtesy of owner Jamie Northrop's father Mike.

“Overall though I hope we have done enough to win back all the customers that I have heard exclaim: ‘We’ll return when the loos are done’.”

A full line up of upcoming events and tickets are available by clicking on this link . Tickets can also be purchased in-house or by calling the venue on 01244 401402.

One of the cubicles in the ladies' toilets at Alexander's in Chester.