After the intervention of the Live Comedy Association

London’s Bill Murray comedy club has received a business rates support package worth thousands of pounds.

The news came after the Live Comedy Association intervened after the government unveiled the assistance in January.

While the original announcement named only pubs and music venues, the LCA obtained assurances from the Treasury that comedy clubs would be included too.

The support is available to English venues that have a clubs and premises registration – with the Bill Murray the first comedy venture to confirm they have received it. 

James O’Donnell from club said: ‘We are hugely grateful to the Live Comedy Association for stepping in so quickly and making the case for live comedy to be included in the business rates support package. 

‘Life remains tough for venues like ours and any support like this is really welcome.’

The discount followed a backlash to hikes Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in November's Budget, raising feats that thousands of hospitality businesses would go to the wall. 

Other clubs may be entitled to the support and the LCA has offered free help to venues who need advice. Venues who currently don’t have the relevant registration with their local authority can work to change it.

Jessica Toomey co-chair of the association welcomed the Bill Murray’s news.

She said: 'This really helps us put live comedy venues in the same position as live music venues in terms of their importance to the larger live entertainment ecosystem, and to communities of fans and performers across the UK.’
 

The LCA is producing Live Comedy Day on April 1 to celebrate grassroots live comedy. 

Published: 24 Mar 2026