Revamp for long standing business event

A long-standing business event has been revamped for 2026 – with a unique format that’s designed to put awkward small talk firmly in the past.

Founded in 2002 by the late Geoffrey Thompson, the Lancashire Entrepreneurs Lunch has been a fixture in the county’s business calendar for more than two decades, bringing together entrepreneurs, leaders and decision makers across Lancashire.

Now the event has a new name – Funny Business – and is being refreshed to reflect how people want to connect today.

The revamped event will move from daytime to evening, and has a relaxed, entertainment-led approach to networking.

Guests will enjoy a three-course meal alongside a full comedy line-up, designed to break the ice naturally and create a more informal, enjoyable environment for networking.

It features a stand-out comedy line-up, hosted by Lancashire-favourite Steve Royle, pictured.

The comedian, actor and radio presenter came third on Britain’s Got Talent and is a regular headline performer at the UK’s top comedy clubs.

The line-up also includes:

• Rob Rouse: Star of BBC’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Friday Night Project and Upstart Crow, Rob won the prestigious Channel 4 ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ award at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has toured the world for 27 years.
• Clayton Jones: An observational comedian with a hilarious take on everyday life, Clayton is a regular on the UK comedy scene, an ‘English Comedian of the Year’ finalist and winner of ‘Last Minute Comedian of the Year’.
• Markus Birdman: The award-winning Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist is a veteran of Edinburgh Fringe Festival but has performed all over the world, and even has his own Netflix special. 

The event’s aim is to do away with forced and stilted conversations, and use comedy as the catalyst to spark more genuine connections among Lancashire’s business community.

Nick Thompson, deputy managing director at Pleasure Beach Resort, which runs the event, said: “We’re hoping this refreshed event will attract both loyal supporters of the original lunch, and a new generation of business professionals looking for networking opportunities with a twist.

“The way we network has changed, and this event will bring people together in a way that feels more relaxed, more human, and far more fun.”

‘Funny Business’ is taking place at 7pm on Friday March 6, at the Paradise Room at Pleasure Beach Resort. Show and Dine tickets include a three-course meal and cost £50.00 per person, while Show Only tickets are available for £25.00

Tickets can be booked at: www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/events/funnybusiness