The initial creditors report for Leicester Comedy Festival producers Big Difference Company shows the total debt is in excess of £215,000.  Over 100 people are listed as being owed money but the Live Comedy Association (LCA) has received information from members that suggests these figures might be conservative estimates.  This information has come to light following the LCA asking trustees of the registered charity a series of questions on behalf of its members.

Earlier this month the LCA held a meeting with people affected by non payment of ticket money and then sent a series of questions to trustees, including chair of Trustees Chris Traill (pictured) asking for a reply by the end of this month.  No reply has been received so far but the creditors report includes a mixture of individual comedians, promoters/producers, venues and suppliers who all worked on Leicester Comedy Festival 2026.  The staff team of 6 people appear to be collectively owed in excess of £50,000.

Over the last 24 hours, the LCA has received emails from members confirming they are owed money, and many of these people are not listed on the creditors list, meaning the totals owed could be underestimated.  The Live Comedy Association itself is owed £103 from an event it produced as part of the festival and this amount is not listed on the creditors list.

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. 

Our thoughts continue to be with everyone owed money, including the staff team.”

The Live Comedy Association distributed grants worth a total of £5,000 earlier this year to people who had been affected by the situation.  A new crowd funding campaign started recently and aims to raise a minimum of £30,000 to support people who have not been paid.  Donations can be made via https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lcfsupportfund

So far the fund has raised just under £4,000 and the Live Comedy Association are appealing for support from people to help raise money.  Jessica Toomey said “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.”