Our work on the Big Difference Company scandal

The LCA became involved after a member emailed asking what we intended to do about people left unpaid following Leicester Comedy Festival 2026.

Since then, the LCA has:

• Established an initial hardship fund, distributing over £5,000 in grants from the Stand Up and Give Fund to those immediately affected.

• Launched a public fundraiser, aiming to raise at least £30,000 from individuals and businesses across the sector.

• Joined the creditors' committee convened by the liquidators, giving those owed money a collective voice in the process.

• Hosted a meeting for those affected, giving performers and promoters a shared forum to compare their position and raise concerns.

• Put questions from that meeting to the trustees of Big Difference Company, and published the responses so that those owed money could see what had - and had not - been answered.

• Broke the news that the debt exceeds £215,000, publishing the findings of the initial creditors' report and revealing that many creditors were missing from the list, meaning the true figure is likely higher.

• Worked with Chortle, BBC News and Private Eye on their reporting into the collapse of Big Difference Company, helping keep the story and the position of unpaid creditors in public view.

• Published practical guidance for creditors, working with law firm Howes Percival on a video explaining what the paperwork means, how to submit a claim as a creditor, and what options are open to those who want to engage with the liquidation process.