"THERE was a time when you couldn't even get people to walk up to Oldham Street," Jessica Toomey, the owner of legendary comedy venue The Frog and Bucket, recalls to the M.E.N.
"In the early days, we'd ask the local hotels to recommend us but they would often refuse because they didn't think the area was safe.
"It would just be tumbleweeds all around. It would just be us, Sankey's and Band on the Wall. Now it's completely changed. It's incredible to see it all flourish around us." This week marks 30 years since the iconic comedy club first opened its doors in the Northern Quarter.
Originally based in a tiny room above the Britannia pub on Newton Street, the club has been situated at the top end of Oldham Street since 2006 and has served as a stomping ground for some of the country's biggest names in comedy, like Peter Kay, Johnny Vegas, Sarah Millican and Jack Whitehall.
Started by her father David Perkin back in 1994, Jessica took over the reins of the venue properly some 20 years ago.
With a 30th birthday party booked in and ready to take place tomorrow night, Jessica says she has been fondly looking back at memories of the venue over the last three decades.
"When my dad first got the keys to the place, I was only 14 so my job at the time was cleaning the venue on Saturday's. I'd be introduced to a few of the comedians, like Steve Coogan and Smug Roberts, but it wasn't really until 2004 when I started coming and watching the shows," she recalls.
This story is from the February 21, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 21, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DON'T PANIC
KOVACIC CONFIDENT BLUES CAN OVERCOME SLUMP
Zlatan not ruling out Vic switch
AC MILAN advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic has refused to rule out the possibility of United centre-back Victor Lindelof joining the Italian club next summer.
Carsley gives respect to Ireland after Greece win
INTERIM boss Lee Carsley says celebrations are on ice as England look to follow up their impressive win in Greece by sealing promotion back to the Nations League top tier by beating the Republic of Ireland.
Young Heskey aims to step out of dad's shadow with Blues
\"IT'S the normal,\" says one of the latest City academy strikers catching attention in describing his upbringing.
Safety pledge for Brits going overseas for ops
THE Health Secretary has said he will work to improve safety for Britons travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures in the wake of several deaths.
£15m 'wasted' on migrant camp site
THE Home Office spent £15m buying a derelict prison contaminated with asbestos amid political pressure to stop housing migrants in hotels, according to Whitehall's spending watchdog.
Experts: Climate talks 'no longer fit for purpose'
THE process of UN climate negotiations is no longer fit for purpose and requires a comprehensive overhaul, leading experts have warned.
McCall reveals tumour diagnosis
CELEBRITIES have flocked to wish Davina McCall well after she revealed she has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, with fellow TV presenter Amanda Holden sending \"so much love\".
'Revenge' shooting teen faces years behind bars
BOY BLASTED AT CLOSE RANGE WITH SHOTGUN IN PREMEDITATED AND PRE-PLANNED' ATTACK
'It was dark, the waves were very high - it was very, very hard'
THE M.E.N. SPEAKS TO ASYLUM SEEKERS WHOSE HOUSING AT A HOTEL HAS DIVIDED A TOWN
