A COMEDY club has revealed its future plans after severing ties with its long-standing host of 23 years.

Comedian Stephen Grant has performed his final show as part of the Krater Comedy Club at Komedia Brighton.

The award-winning MCs comedy promotions and booking company Annephen Ltd say they were “astonished and dismayed” that the venue was terminating their contract.

Komedia Brighton has since teamed up with independent comedy promoters Little Wander, with their new-look comedy nights set to begin on Friday, January 21.

The newly named Komedia Comedy Club, previously of Krater Comedy Club, will now be hosted by “a range of seasoned MC’s”.

“It’s of the utmost importance to the whole Komedia team to remain at the leading edge of the comedy world, unfortunately it was clear that our flagship show was in danger of falling below these high standards,” a Komedia spokesman said.

“After a long and thorough search throughout the comedy industry, Komedia are delighted to announce the perfect partners in Little Wander. There is now no doubt that Komedia Comedy Club will be a leader in diversity, equal opportunity and most importantly home to the most exciting comedians in world.

“Prepare to see comedy taken to the next level.”

The Argus: The new Komedia Comedy ClubThe new Komedia Comedy Club

The new promoters Little Wander, who tag line is We Run Comedy, currently work with comedians including Josh Widdicombe, Ed Gamble, David O’Doherty and Nish Kumar.

Little Wander spokesman Henry Widdicombe said the partnership is a “new chapter” for the venue.

“We want to acknowledge the years of hard work that has made this venue amongst the very best in the UK for weekend comedy and we feel extremely privileged to have the opportunity to build on this work,” he said.

“We can see a bright future ahead for Brighton’s flagship comedy venue and look forward to seeing the room filled with laughter.”

Confirmed line-ups so far include the likes of Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Richard and Greta, Phil Wang, Rosie Jones, Sara Barron, Jarred Christmas and Catherine Bohart.

The venue is also revitalising their menu under the guidance of new chef Will Robinson.

After announcing that Stephen grant’s Annephen Ltd had lost the tender to run gigs at the venue, the company said: “We were invited to tender for our own contract but learnt we were unsuccessful.

“Though Komedia’s decision to terminate the contract was unexpected and upsetting, we respect their right to make that decision.

“The reason given was ‘in light of developments of the last couple of years, Komedia Ltd has reviewed how it will operate in-house comedy events’.

“We wish them well taking the venue where their passions lie.”

The Krater Comedy Club will continue to exist in Bath.

“The Krater name will continue to be used in Bath with the joint agreement of both parties but cease to exist in Brighton at the end of the contract,” an Annephen spokesman added.

Komedia Brighton has won the Chortle Award for Best Comedy Club in the South on 17 occasions.

In 2008 and 2011, Stephen won the Chortle Award for Best Compère.

Komedia Comedy Club will run every Friday and Saturday at 8pm, beginning on Friday, January 21.

The venue also offers other comedy nights, including Comic Boom, for rising comedy stars, and Bent Double, a gay-friendly night hosted by Zoe Lyons.