A permanent comedy club night is coming to Rochdale town centre

A local comedy night provider is planning to open a permanent comedy club in Rochdale town centre.

Ace Lips comedy nights have been running for almost 10 years across Rochdale, Littleborough and Oldham, moving from venue to venue.

Its founder, Rick Attwood, believes the town centre needs its very own permanent comedy club, so that people “shouldn’t have to go into Manchester to watch some of the best comedy talent on the circuit when it can be seen in Rochdale.”

Now, thanks to a collaboration with Ben Boothman, landlord of the popular Flying Horse Hotel on Packer Street, a regular comedy night is set to have the town laughing.

The comedy nights will predominantly be held in the refurbished Old Court Room at the award-winning venue (formerly the upstairs function room), planned for the last Friday of each month.

“I’ve hosted comedy nights at the Flyer on previous occasions,” Rick said. “The Flying Horse has a fantastic function room which is an ideal place to host a comedy night and home a comedy club.

“It’s hoped that the frequency will increase with how popular they become, hopefully at least once a month!”

Ace Lips events provide a unique opportunity to see some of the best up-and-comers in the country, with many going on to perform at the likes of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

 

 

Past acts include Nina Gilligan, Leicester Mercury's Comedian Of The Year 2021; Scott Bennett, Live at the Apollo; Archie Kelly from Phoenix Nights, plus Britain's Got Talent finalist Steve Royle, who helped raise money for three defibrillators in Rochdale town centre; social media sensation Tiny Tim, and Anna Thomas, winner of the BBC's New Comedy Awards 2021.

Ace Lips has also hosted work in progress shows for Clayton Jones and Hayley Ellis at the Leicester and Edinburgh comedy festivals, as well as for a number of leading comedians often seen on stage around the world.

Rick added: “Rochdale is once again becoming vibrant and improving what it can offer people for a night out: it’s time for couples, friends or work colleagues can meet up, visit one of the fantastic bars, pubs or restaurants now in the town centre and go on to the cinema, crazy golf or even to attend a comedy night.

“Bringing a comedy club into Rochdale will add value to the borough and those living in it. Laughter is the best medicine; we have learned over the last few years we shouldn’t take for granted to be able to socialise with friends and family and to go out for a good night.”

The next Ace Lips comedy night is at 8.30pm on Friday 6 May at The Flying Horse with a fantastic line up of Ignacio Lopez, Pete Selwood, Danny Deegan, Ant Grogan and Thom Bee.