Europe's biggest comedy festival held in UK cancelled as firm goes into liquidation

Europe's biggest comedy festival held in UK cancelled as firm goes into liquidation The Big Difference Company, which ran Leicester Comedy Festival in Leicester, announced today 'with great sadness' that it has become insolven Europe's largest and longest-running comedy festival, held in a UK city, is under threat as the company behind it has ceased trading. The Big Difference Company, which ran Leicester Comedy Festival in Leicester, announced today "with great sadness" that it has become insolvent. The festival had been running since 1994 and became Europe's largest and longest-running event of the kind, with more than 700 shows across over 60 venues. Apart from stand-up comedy shows, attendees could also enjoy comedy film, poetry and spoken word, comic theatre, photographic and art exhibitions and children's shows. The charity's directors said "increasing costs, a difficult funding environment and significant pressures within the live comedy sector" are factors that led to the insolvency outcome, British Comedy Guide states. A statement reads: "For 32 years, [the festival] has been an important part of the cultural and economic life of our region, showcasing comedy talent, attracting visitors, and supporting local businesses and venues. We acknowledge that this news will be deeply disappointing to staff, performers, venues, promoters and supporters." The charity added that its "immediate focus" is to meet its legal obligations and collaborate with stakeholders throughout the insolvency process. They said: "Looking ahead, we remain committed to working with stakeholders, including Leicester City Council, funders, venues and the wider community, to explore how a sustainable long-term future can be secured for this much-loved festival." Leicester's City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said, following the insolvency announcement, that the city council "will ensure" a comedy festival takes place in the city next year. The 2027 edition was expected to take place between February 3 and 21, according to the festival's website. Peter Soulsby said: "We’re very sorry that the Big Difference Company has gone into liquidation, and we understand that this is a difficult time for its staff and all of those affected. The Leicester Comedy Festival has been a hugely important part of Leicester’s cultural calendar, bringing thousands of visitors to the city every year, and with them a big boost to our economy. "While of course we can’t pick up the debts of a registered charity, we do want to ensure the festival goes ahead next year." Mr Soulsby explained that the city council will work with local promoters and venues to ensure an interim comedy festival takes place next year, before a "sustainable operation" is secured long-term. It is believed that more than £100,000 is still owed to those who put on shows at the 2026 festival, with hundreds of comedians, promoters and venues potentially affected. This has been labelled as "grossly unfair" by Equity, the performers' union. The union has already secured payment for several unpaid comedians, spokesperson Michael Day said. He added: "There would be no festival or gigs without these comedians and it's grossly unfair that they are the ones left unpaid in this and so many similar situations." It has launched a separate fundraiser, aiming to raise £30,000 towards a hardship fund, LeicestershireLive reports. Following the insolvency announcement, former staff at Leicester Comedy Festival released a statement, claiming they were left "uninformed" and "unpaid" over the past few months. They said: "If we were lucky, we found out news only moments before you. If not, we found out from articles and posts. We are left today, stunned and heartbroken at how far this has been allowed to go. We are so sad. For working comedians, for venues, for audiences, but mostly: for Leicester. "It is our hope of all hopes that Leicester Comedy Festival and The UK Kids' Comedy Festival can live on, with a model that works for all. We don't know what that looks like and we know that the future is as uncertain as it could be right now. "But, we know that there is far too much appetite and history for comedy in Leicester for this to be it." The statement also urged people to "support whatever's next". It added that Anthony Lamb, who ran The Big Difference Venue, is now bidding to take it over independently as a "brand new community venture". He has so far raised more than £18,000 towards the lease, in a campaign the former staff described as protecting "the last remaining part of the charity to make a profit". Reports from comedians saying they were left unpaid surfaced in May, with a serious incident report submitted to the Charity Commission on July 21 by the charity over its ongoing financial issues. Mirror Online has approached The Big Difference Company regarding the pay claims. [Image text:] thebigdifference live entertainmer 68