One of Chester’s best known music and comedy venues has sold after its owners recently announced their retirement almost 25 years since it all began.
Alexander’s Jazz Theatre bar, known as Alexander’s, was opened by Rod Cox and Pauline Thompson in 1991.
The pair have just sold the business to new company Alexander’s Live! owned by entrepreneur Jamie Northrop, 32, who reopens the venue under his stewardship from this Friday and will keep the same existing name.
Jamie, a former president of Chester Students’ Union, adopted the city as his home after getting a degree in Dance at the University of Chester in 2006. He has been business and marketing manager for the Beans student night at Cruise and has also worked for rivals Rosie’s and at his old university.
He said: “I am extremely excited to take over the venue, especially to meet all the regular, returning and new customers. I plan on continuing with the great line up of events as well as bringing even more live music and comedy to Chester. Improvements will come by offering a variety of nights and music genres to draw crowds of all ages. A refurbishment is planned in the near future with a launch of a new drink and food menu.”
Outgoing co-owner Rod said: “We had 26 people approach us to buy Alexander’s and four on the final shortlist. We chose Jamie because he is already a successful entrepreneur, yet his youth puts him in tune with a generation that other buyers were as distant from as we are. He obviously knows what he is doing and has tremendous energy.”
Pauline, the other outgoing joint owner, who has helped run Alexander’s for nearly a quarter of a century, added: “I have certainly enjoyed my time at Alexander’s and cannot believe it has been that long. With thanks to the musicians, comedians, promoters and staff who have each contributed so much and who I will never forget. I am looking forward to new events coming and very happy with our new owner, Jamie, wishing him every success.”
Pauline and Rod, who are the owners of the leasehold on the building, will be Jamie’s landlords and intend to support him, especially during the early days.
Pauline added: “We will both still be around, so don’t forget to come and have a drink with both Jamie and us, starting this weekend!”
Based on a Jazz cabaret or Blues cellar bar in the American south, Alexander’s 150-capacity intimate venue has hosted household names from the worlds of jazz, blues, rock, folk and comedy over the years. Music greats Ronnie Scott, George Melly, Georgie Fame, The Animals, The Yardbirds, Pentangle and John Renbourne have all performed in the past through to anti-Zionist musician Gilad Atzmon, among the greatest saxophone players in the world today.
And the venue has remained at the forefront of the local music scene, with acts such as Duffy and Ed Sheeran gracing the renowned open mic stage when they were virtual unknowns.
On the funny-bone front, the Saturday night comedy club has welcomed the likes of Jack Dee, Graham Norton, Jo Brand, John Bishop, Russell Howard and Bill Bailey, who all cut their comedy teeth on the Alexander’s stage. Caroline Ahearne debuted Mrs Merton at Alexander’s and it was here that Steve Coogan tested out many of his now well known comedy characters.
Alexander’s opened on June 21, 1991, and the first artist on the stage was the late comedian and TV star Bob Monkhouse. Winner of a Lifetime Achievement for Comedy, he set the quality threshold for the iconic Chester Venue.
