A COMEDY club chain which holds nights in Southampton has gone into administration.

Jongleurs comedy club, which has hosted the likes of Lee Mack and Paul Merton ran events at the city's Oceana nightclub.

It comes after the founders of the company Julia Chamberlain and Angie McEvoy told the companies agents that they were in administration.

In a statement, the company said: "We regret that we have been asked to let you know that as of Tuesday 17 October 2017 Roving Ventures Ltd (licensee of Jongleurs Comedy) is to suspend operations.

"This means that Roving Ventures will not be running any shows and Jongleurs Club shows and Jongleurs on the Road shows are cancelled for the immediate future.

"If you have any bookings for the rest of 2017, and a couple of people have dates in 2018, we're really sorry but these won't be happening.

Every possible effort has been made to keep the company viable, including cash injections of over £200,000 from the director and shareholders since late 2014.

"Unfortunately there are now no more funds available to inject into the company.

"We understand that there are going to be some very upset people, many of whom have worked with us for the past 20 odd years.

"This is not a decision we have had any choice over and we are extremely disappointed to be bringing you this news."

The Daily Echo understands that customers who brought tickets for future will not be eligible for a refund at this current time.

Among the stars to perform at the Southampton venue included Phil Jupitus in 1997 and Eddie Izzard in 1987 along with Australian comedian Ray Badran who tweeted his anger at the company.

Posting on Twitter, he said: "They didn't pay me all year and now owe me £1,720. Too often are comedians made to pay the costs of a business just because the owners can get away with not paying them immediately.

"Also, their gigs were horrible too. Like the worst, I've ever done. Glad to see them go."

However, the UK's only transgender comedian Bethany Black paid respected to the company and said: "When I started out Jongleurs was what you aimed for. It's such a shame the brand was mismanaged so badly. A shame so many are still owed."

A spokesperson for the Deltic Group, who owns Oceana in Southampton said: "We're disappointed that Jongleurs has gone in to administration, and although we only provide the facilities, we feel sorry for customers who will miss out and are trying to find an alternative comedy supplier.

"In the meantime, Oceana will continue to deliver a great night out for its customers."

The brand which was founded in 1983 also runs clubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, and Portsmouth.