SHAN’S Cabaret is set to celebrate their two year anniversary with a show from the Pleasure Boys and ‘Robbie’ after having to shut for over 16 months due to the pandemic

The live music venue in Yate reopened on May 21 after closing its doors in March las year, but owner Michelle Griffin says the last five months have been a struggle.

The club opened to just 11 people on one occasion and Michelle said she believes its due to customers being concerned due to Covid-19.

Older customers who came frequently to the venue have yet to return, but Michelle said new customers have begun to come through the doors. And she hopes that the popular events venue will start to fill up once more.

Being a new business Shan’s weren’t entitled to the vast majority of government grants and so paying the bills was difficult and Michelle had to use savings to keep herself a float.

She is now confident that the business will take off and be as busy as it was pre-Covid with a string of acts lined up for the remainder of 2021 including Take That, Cher and Elton John tributes as well as drag act Betty Bangs.

Michelle said: “When we reopened we thought everything would return to normal really quickly.

“We thought once people could come out, they would, hopefully they will soon.

“We offer a different product, people will always want to see music.

“We have stuck to all our rules since the pandemic an only offer table service- and people love our cocktail trees!

“All of our staff are double-jabbed and PCR tested every week to protect themselves and our customers- we have hand sanitiser everywhere and all surfaces including door handles are regularly sanitised.

“We have world class acts here and we pick specifically so hopefully there is something for everyone- we love hosting parties too hopefully things are looking up.”

At Christmas Shan’s are offering a number of festive packages including Christmas dinner in a bun with entertainment from Adele, Abba and Oasis tributes and crooner Michael Buble. UB40 Tribute will sing live on Christmas Eve.

Shan’s is named after Michelle’s daughter Shannen who sadly passed away of diabetes aged just 23.

Michelle now raises funds for Diabetes UK in her memory.