Annie’s Burger Shack to host a comedy evening featuring Jason Manford

The night aims to give something back and put a smile on Derby’s face

A Derby restaurant says it wants to get people back into the city centre and give something back to the community after the challenges of COVID by hosting its first-ever comedy night, starring popular funnyman Jason Manford.

Annie’s Burger Shack says its restaurant, in Friary Street, will break new ground when it hosts the evening of comedy on September 21, with a number of comedians already lined up and with Salford-born Jason at the top of the bill.

Annie’s, which first opened its doors in Derby in 2018, and serves a menu boasting no fewer than 34 authentic New England-style handmade burgers, all available as vegan, veggie or meaty, is now fully back up and running after the lockdown.

It has teamed up with UK comedy club Just the Tonic to host its first-ever comedy night, which will give Derby’s Jason Manford fans an unexpected chance to see their idol this autumn after his gig at the Derby Arena, which was originally scheduled for October, was postponed until 2022.

However, Annie Spaziano, owner and founder of Annie’s Burger Shack, said that the restaurant will also be seeking to lift people’s spirits by running a competition for free tickets for anybody who has struggled during the lockdown or who went out of their way to help others.

People will be invited to nominate somebody via social media who they feel deserves a night out, either because they have endured a difficult 16 months or because they did something heroic in their community.

Those who are judged to be the most deserving cases will be given free tickets for the show for themselves and a guest.

Annie said: “We’re really happy to be bringing Jason Manford to Derby as part of our first-ever comedy event, which we hope will put a smile on people’s faces and bring them back into the city centre for a fun night out.

“However, we felt that this was a great opportunity to reach out to the community and reward those who have either suffered more than most or have played a part to alleviate other people’s struggles.

“I think we all know someone who has had a difficult time during the pandemic or, alternatively, has put themselves out for others over the past few months, so this is Derby’s chance to let other people know about them and win them a free night out.”

Annie’s Burger Shack is based in the former First Church of Christ Scientist building and many of the church’s original fixtures and fittings, which date back to the 1930s, have been lovingly restored and incorporated into the interior design scheme.

Its burger menu boasts a huge array of different toppings, with names such as The North Carolina and the Maryland Crabcake, as well as a range of craft beers and the biggest authentic American-style breakfast in the Midlands.

For ticket prices and more details of the comedy night with Jason Manford visit www.anniesburgershack.com