Comedy's like supporting your local football team - venues react as festival firm folds

Image caption, Alan Merryweather, owner of the Black Horse pub in Aylestone and Laughter Loft comedy club, said he was "angry" about the situation. By Dan Hunt Leicester: "I think comedy's like supporting your local football team," says Alan Merryweather, one of the hosts of one of the biggest comedy festivals in the UK. He, like other venues that open their doors every February to stand-up comedians from across the world, has expressed sadness and anger that the company behind Leicester Comedy Festival had become insolvent and ceased trading. On Wednesday, directors of Big Difference Company announced the news "with great sadness," citing increasing costs, a difficult funding environment, and significant pressures within the live comedy sector as factors. Merryweather, owner of the Black Horse pub in Aylestone and Laughter Loft comedy club, said: "I know there are some great people that rely on the Leicester Comedy Festival or a festival in Leicester to keep them afloat throughout the year." A statement from Big Difference Company recognized the significant impact on employees, performers, venues, suppliers, and creditors, and expressed sincere regret. The company's financial issues became apparent in May after hundreds of comedians were unpaid following the 2026 festival. Leicester City Council said it would work with promoters and venues to ensure an interim comedy festival programme for 2027. Well-known comedians like Harry Hill, Matt Lucas, Graham Norton, and Sarah Millican have performed at the event over the past three decades. Set up by students from De Montfort University in 1994, the Leicester Comedy Festival became a registered company the following year before changing its name to Big Difference in 2009. Merryweather noted the festival brought 5,000 people through the pub’s doors annually, with the company owing the pub and acts more than £9,000. He expressed anger but hoped acts would receive their money back. Other venues, like Live at The Lodge and The Wycliffe Rooms, were owed money, with managing director Rachael Johnson stating disappointment and despair. Leicester City Council confirmed venues outside the city boundary could participate in an interim festival. Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby vowed to keep the festival alive, suggesting a slimmed-down event for 2027. The Live Comedy Association launched a crowdfunding campaign to support affected individuals, promoters, venues, and staff. The directors of Big Difference Company acknowledged their efforts to avoid insolvency but stated the charity’s financial future was unsustainable.