Bob Potter, honoured with an OBE in 1991, is a Companion Rat of the prestigious showbusiness charity The Grand Order of Water Rats in recognition of his services to showbiz and charity for nearly 60 years.

His company, Lakeside, is synonymous with show business and charities.

Top American girl group The Flirtations topped the bill at Lakeside’s opening night in November 1972 and since then the club has played host to some of the most famous names in show-business.

The club’s walls are adorned with photographs of the celebrities who have strutted their stuff on the Lakeside stage including Tony Bennett, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, Danny La Rue, Tommy Cooper, Jack Jones, Des O’Connor, Bob Monkhouse, Morecambe and Wise, Benny Hill, George Burns, Jim Davidson, Mike Reid, The Drifters, Russ Abbott, Lonnie Doneghan, Shirley Bassey, Freddie Starr, Alexander O’Neil, The Three Degrees, The Supremes, Bruce Forsythe, Tony Christie and Jethro. The list goes on and on.

Throughout its life-time Lakeside has helped raise millions of pounds for good causes with the club staging so many 'Royal' charity functions over the years that it became known as the Royal’s nightclub. Virtually every member of the Royal Family apart from The Queen has visited Lakeside. Former Prime Ministers Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and John Major were also visitors.

The original Lakeside was twice voted Club of the Year before being destroyed by fire in 1978. Bob Potter rebuilt the venue in just nine months and the new Lakeside went on to also win the coveted Club of the Year award on three occasions leading to Lakeside receiving a perpetual Club of the Year trophy.

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Foundation News

• 25 Jun 2008 - Bob Potter donation helps Frimley Park cancer patients
• 5 Jun 2008 - Hospital staff thank Bob Potter

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