The Live Comedy Association (LCA) has received confirmation that the government intends to include permanent live comedy venues in the business rates support package announced yesterday. All those clubs which have a “clubs & premises” registration can expect to receive a 15% reduction in business rates over the next 3 years. This includes clubs such as Frog & Bucket (Manchester) and The Glee Club (Birmingham, Cardiff, Nottingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Oxford). Other clubs may be entitled to the support if they update their registration details with their local authority.
The government announced the support package yesterday (27th January 2026) would benefit pubs and live music venues. On hearing the news the Live Comedy Association contacted government and partner organisations to query whether live comedy venues would be included. Earlier today there was a meeting with UK Treasury who confirmed comedy venues would be included, and further guidance and advice will be available in the coming weeks.
The LCA has been working hard over the last 18 months to lobby government to recognise live comedy as a specific sector and included alongside other art forms as a vital part of the UK’s creative industries. This work in on-going but has included meetings in parliament, with politicians and civil servants, as well as lobbying for live comedy to be included in policy and strategy documents.
Jessica Toomey co-Chair of the LCA, said “we are delighted to be able to pass this news onto our colleagues who own and run live comedy venues across the UK. We have been working enormously hard to get our sector included in government strategies and policies and think this is an enormous win for our sector. Obviously our work doesn’t stop here and we will continue to work with colleagues to champion what we all do and secure further support for everyone working in live comedy.”
Mark Tughan, founder and CEO of the Glee Clubs said “this is brilliant news and I’m hugely grateful to the LCA for quickly reacting to the news yesterday and getting clarification from government. It’s clear we need to work together as a sector and keep momentum building to get the recognition live comedy deserves. I’ll sit tight and wait for further news and details but the announcement today is very much appreciated.”
Live comedy venues who currently don’t have the relevant registration with their local authority can work to change their registration and the LCA is able to give further information and support about this.
The LCA is producing Live Comedy Day on 1st April 2026, a national celebration of grassroots live comedy. Further information is available from www.livecomedyday.co.uk
