Firm behind one of UK's biggest comedy festivals folds
Leicester Comedy Festival has been held for more than 30 years but its operator has ceased trading.
By BBC News
The company behind the Leicester Comedy Festival has ceased trading after more than 30 years running the event. The Big Difference Company said it had become insolvent and was closing, with directors citing rising costs, funding pressures and difficulties in the live comedy industry.
According to BBC News, the festival has been running since 1994. The report says the company had also submitted a serious incident report to the Charity Commission a few weeks earlier because of ongoing financial problems.
The BBC report refers to a statement from the directors, who said they were acting out of “great sadness” and would focus on their legal responsibilities during the insolvency process. No police, council, parents or residents are mentioned in the BBC report provided.
The Leicester Mercury separately reported that Leicester City Council said it would work with local promoters, venues and other stakeholders to help ensure a comedy festival still takes place in the city in 2027, but that detail is not confirmed in the BBC source itself.