And many creditors appear missing from official list

The company behind Leicester Comedy Festival collapsed with debts of at least £215,000.

An initial creditors’ report show the Big Difference Company went into liquidation owing more than 100 people money. That includes the staff of six, owed more than £50,000 between them.

However, it’s believed many creditors are missing from the list, meaning the figure could be much higher.

As it is, £215,000 represents more than 40 per cent of the charity’s annual £500,000 turnover.

The figure was released by the Live Comedy Association, which is itself owed £103 from an event it produced as part of the festival - which is not listed on the creditors list. And it says several of its 1,600 members have been in touch to say they are missing, too.

Venue operator Just The Tonic have previously revealed they are owed more than £13,000 in ticket sales from the collapse of Big Difference.

Chortle understand that it also owes other charities just over £20,000, as well as just under £2,000 to HMRC.

The LCA this week issued a public list of questions they demanded the charity’s trustees answer.

LCA chair Jessica Toomey said: ‘One of the questions we asked the trustees was confirmation of the total amount owed, and also the number of people owed money.  We haven’t received any answers or response from the trustees yet. 

‘It seems the information the liquidators have been given by the trustees isn’t accurate and we are appealing for anyone who is owed money to contact us as soon as possible.  We will be assisting the liquidators in their task of trying to piece together the jigsaw and getting a more accurate figure.’

The Live Comedy Association has been running a crowdfunder to support people who have not been paid, which has so far raised just under £4,000.

Toomey added: ‘The vast majority of people owed money are freelancers or sole traders who can't afford to just lose their money and not receive anything. In our world there is no safety net or official support for people who don’t get paid money due to them.  We are appealing to all those who love live comedy to support the fund however they can.’

Leicester will have a new independent comedy festival, with no connection to the old one, in February.

Published: 22 Aug 2026