Comedy festival firm makes financial incident report

The company behind Leicester Comedy Festival has submitted a serious incident report to the Charity Commission over its ongoing financial issues.

The charity regulator said it was assessing concerns raised with them over the future of the Big Difference Company, which organises the popular festival.

The company's financial woes became apparent in May after hundreds of comedians said they were unpaid following the 2026 festival.

An arts venue in Leicester, managed by the charity, was also repossessed in July due to the "non-payment of rent and insurance" under the terms of the lease.

In a statement on Monday, the commission said the charity had submitted a "serious incident report relating to financial difficulties".

"We are assessing concerns raised with us about the closure of the Big Difference Company Limited," a spokesperson said.

"Our assessment will determine what regulatory role there is, if any, for the commission."

The Charity Commission requires registered organisations to report serious incidents, classed as an adverse event which results in, or risks significant harm to a charity, including its beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, property or assets.

This could be a safeguarding report, harm to the charity's reputation, or financial issues, including insolvency.

Once submitted, it is the commission's role to ensure that trustees comply with their legal duties and that charities manage the incident responsibly.

The commission may get involved in the incident if it feels the charity needs regulatory advice and guidance or has to use its legal powers to protect the charity or the people that it comes into contact with.

It was reported in May that a number of performers at the festival, which attracted about 100,000 spectators to Leicester in February, had not been paid.

Organisers said they aimed to pay all performers as soon as possible, adding the delay was due to cashflow problems that they were trying to resolve.

However, union Equity said that while some of their members have since been paid, many were still seeking repayment.

The union's Midlands official, Ian Manborde, said: "The problems with the company running Leicester Comedy Festival are terrible news for the many performers and other workers who are yet to be paid for their work this year.

"The Festival is a significant date in the comedy calendar and attracts big numbers of performers, but we knew there was a problem when so many were getting in touch about unpaid gigs.

"Thankfully, through some sensitive work, we've managed to secure payments for quite a few Equity members and we urge other performers to get in touch for support.

"We want to see performers paid for their work."

The union said it was still "unclear" if the Big Difference Company is seeking liquidation, which they said "often makes it harder to seek payment for performers".

Again, the company's finances were under the spotlight when arts venue, The Big Difference, was repossessed in July.

The BBC understands staff arrived at the venue to find a repossession notice on the door.

The notice read: "Due to non-payment of rent and insurance under the terms and conditions of the lease... we have entered these premises by order of the landlord and have taken possession of the premises."

Anthony Lamb, who was manager of The Big Difference in High Street, Leicester, has crowdfunded more than £18,000 to take over the space under the new name Forum Porcorum.

Big Difference Company has been contacted for comment.

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