LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL CANCELLED AFTER COMPANY GOES INTO LIQUIDATION

Leicester Comedy Festival has ceased operating after The Big Difference Company, which ran the event, announced insolvency on 5 August. The festival, which had operated since 1994, was Europe's largest and longest-running comedy festival, according to reports. The company's directors attributed the insolvency to increasing costs, a difficult funding environment, and significant pressures within the live comedy sector. The festival had hosted more than 700 shows across over 60 venues annually, offering stand-up comedy, comedy film, poetry, spoken word, comic theatre, and children's shows.

The Big Difference Company stated that for 32 years the festival had been an important part of Leicester's cultural and economic life, attracting visitors and supporting local businesses and venues. The charity's immediate focus is to meet its legal obligations and work with stakeholders throughout the insolvency process. The 2027 edition had been scheduled to take place between 3 and 21 February, according to the festival's website.

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the city council "will ensure" a comedy festival takes place in Leicester in 2027. The council said it remains committed to working with stakeholders, including funders, venues and the wider community, to secure a sustainable long-term future for the festival. The Big Difference Company acknowledged that the news would be deeply disappointing to staff, performers, venues, promoters and supporters.