Company behind Leicester Comedy Festival ceases trading
Written by HFM News on 8th August 2026
The company behind the Leicester Comedy Festival has ceased trading after becoming insolvent, with rising costs and funding pressures blamed for its financial difficulties.
Big Difference Company, which runs the festival, announced the decision “with great sadness”, citing “increasing costs, a difficult funding environment, and significant pressures within the live comedy sector”.
The company had been responsible for coordinating events held outside Leicester as part of the festival, including a number of shows at Market Harborough’s Market Hall.
Harborough District Council had been in discussions with the organisation over financial matters linked to the events, while a number of comedians were also waiting to be paid.
Other venues which hosted festival shows have also said they are owed money by the company.
Events took place at the Market Hall in Market Harborough as part of the festival earlier this year, including a performance by comedian the Lost Voice Guy
The directors of Big Difference Company said they recognised the “significant impact” the insolvency would have on employees, performers, venues, suppliers and other creditors, and said they were “sincerely sorry” to those affected.
The performing arts and entertainment union Equity has criticised the situation, describing it as “grossly unfair” that performers have been left unpaid.
Michael Day, Equity’s Variety Official, said the insolvency was a “huge blow” to the comedy sector and would make it more difficult for performers to recover money they are owed.
Equity says it has already supported comedians affected by the situation and secured payment for several performers.
The union is also calling for changes to the way comedy gigs are booked, to provide greater protection for performers who have completed work but have not been paid.
Leicester City Council says it will work with promoters and venues “to ensure that an interim comedy festival programme can take place in 2027”.
It is currently unclear whether events outside Leicester, including the Big Weekend in the Harborough District, will form part of any future programme.
The Leicester Comedy Festival has been a major fixture on the UK comedy calendar for many years and is described by Equity as the largest comedy-only performance festival in the country.
