We were out in splendid company on Sunday night for a very pleasant meal at the Lotus Garden on Hartlepool Marina, and the time and the place were good indicators of how things change for the better.

The place first: the range of good quality restaurants, bars and shops along Navigation Point is a perfect symbol of the roaring success story which is Hartlepool today. It's no wonder that Meatloaf wants to live here! Not just a successful football club, but aspirational lifestyle and a housing market which remains a hotspot.

The fact that most places were open on a Sunday night showed a sensible commercial appreciation of the fact that, with a Bank Holiday lazy day beckoning, business was there to be had. In fact, Sunday nights generally are being considered by the commercially aware as a new opportunity. It's a different feel to the more frenetic night before, but, given the rise in retired and flexi-work people with a few bob to spare, businesses which lock their doors on Sunday nights must be making too much money!

Compare that awareness with the local council-run Mill House Leisure Centre. A large chunk of the population has a free Bank Holiday Monday; ideal for a swim with the kids, a game of squash, or whatever. Not easy when the way-behind-the-times Mill House shuts its 'leisure centre' doors for the day at a time when thousands of potential customers are at leisure.

Finally, talking of Hartlepool success stories, the Funny Bones comedy club at the Studio is planning to double its nights to two a month. The next session is this coming Sunday (June 1st) with a very good bill.

It features Patrick the half Irish, half Iranian comedian, who was actually raised in Stokesley. You may have seen him last year presenting one of ITV's travel programmes or in the Studio last December, and he has also been doing the audience warm-ups for the Gloria Hunniford show. Patrick is renowned for his bubbly live performances featuring a blend of bantering and bearhugging the audience. He is also all set to be another star of this year's Edinburgh festival, where he previously won many rave reviews for his performances at the "fringe" in 2002.

Another Edinburgh festival star will be supporting Patrick on Sunday - the superb Gary Delaney, who was a runner-up in last year's televised BBC comedy competition. Gary has risen through the ranks of Britain's comedy newcomers, to become an established name on the national circuit with a huge range of dead-pan one liners.

The resident compere is the hyperactive Warren Speed and doors to the Studio open at 7.30pm, with the comedy starting at 8.30pm. Admission is £5 or £4 for concessions..

For more info visit www.funnybonescomedy.co.uk

Published: 27/05/2003