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Cliff Richard, Roy Orbison, Tommy Cooper, Norman Wisdom, Cannon & Ball, Freddie Starr and Cilla Black were just some of the huge stars who trod the boards at Jollees – and the Duke of Edinburgh also paid a visit.

Tommy Cooper appeared at Jollees in the 70s

The cabaret & supper club (chicken & chips in a basket was a favourite) was the plushest place in the city at the time. The venue was one of the largest in the country – with 1790 seats.
It took up the whole floor over the old Longton Bus station interchange at the south end of the town centre.

The club was, for a long time, identified with the late great comedian/compere Mel Scholes, who was the regular host. Other regular hosts included Ian 'Sludge' Lees and Pete Conway, Robbie Williams' father.

Sadly, like all great things it had to come to an end, and closed in 1992 because it was losing money. There is no sign now that it was ever once there; even the bus station has moved.

Celebrities

Terry Walsh interviewed former managing director Mike Massey in 2009. Mike talked about the history of the club and listeners were invited to share their memories of this famous cabaret club. Click on the link below to hear the full one-hour interview...

Mike said: “All the stars came in expensive cars and were given special access to the building, through the elevator at the back – so as to avoid the crowds.
The Duke of Edinburgh came to Jollees in 1977 and was given exclusive VIP treatment, including a custom-made toilet and seating area.”

“At first, all the most famous acts were sceptical about coming to Jollees in fear of not getting paid – especially since Stoke is not one of the largest cities in the UK”, he continues. “Acts, including Ronnie Corbett, would wait until their friends had performed at Jollees before agreeing to do so themselves.”

Ian 'Sludge' Lees was one of the comperes

Jollees held matinee performances for children, who still have fond memories of seeing the famous acts.

Before and After

He adds, “I started Jollees because I thought I was getting too old for discothèques. I wanted to be involved in something different and unique – that would bring celebrities to the city.”

On the first evening, alcohol cost just eighteen pence per pint!. People who took their own alcohol into the club had it confiscated – and there are still rumours that it all went into a secret stash...

Prior to becoming Jollees, it was the Magnet Bowl and Chancery Grill, a combined restaurant and bowling alley, located above the Longton Bus Station.

Following closure in 1992, it became several different venues, including a wine bar.
In 2004, the building was totally reconstructed and is now home to a branch of the high street store, Wilkinson.