Leicester’s alternative community is being asked to help save one of the city’s best-known grassroots venues, with former Big Difference manager Anthony “Big Tony” Lamb launching a crowdfunding campaign to reopen the 68 High Street space under a new name: Forum Porcorum.

The venue, which previously also operated as The Cookie and Crumblin’ Cookie, was forced to close after the charity that owned it encountered financial difficulties. Now, Lamb is hoping community support can help bring the space back to life.

Leicester’s alternative community could soon see a beloved city centre venue rise from the ashes under a new name: Forum Porcorum.

He hopes to take over the lease and transform the space into a community-focused hub for music, arts and alternative culture.

‘Big’ Tony managed The Big Difference between 2022 and 2026 before the venue was forced to close after the charity that owned it ran into financial difficulties.

Now, he’s determined that the community built around the venue doesn’t disappear with it.

“I don’t want the hard work and community that was built around this venue to go to waste,” Lamb said in a post on his crowdfunder site .

Having established his own company, Lamb says he’s ready to take on the lease as soon as funding and agreements are secured.

So far the campaign has raised £12,354 with donations from almost 250 people online

A new home For Leicester’s alternative scene

If the campaign succeeds, Forum Porcorum will continue the venue’s reputation as a live music and comedy venue and also a welcoming space for Leicester’s LGBTQIA+ and alternative communities, while placing a renewed emphasis on grassroots artists and local culture.

Lamb wants the venue to become a genuine “third space” — somewhere people can gather, socialise and build connections outside of work and home.

“I want Forum Porcorum to be more of a community bar rather than only a destination venue,” he explains. “I want people to spend time there with friends and find community.”

The venue would also continue working with promoters and booking agents to bring touring acts to Leicester, while maintaining a commitment to fairly paying local performers.

In a pointed promise to artists and industry workers, Lamb said in his statement on his site “payments will be made on time — every time”.

So, why ‘Forum Porcorum’?

The unusual name has surprisingly deep Leicester roots.

According to local historical records, High Street follows a route dating back to Roman Leicester, linking East Gate with the city’s ancient forum and basilica area around what is now Jubilee Square.

In medieval times, the street was known as Forum Porcorum — Latin for “pig market” — or Swinesmarket, before becoming High Street in the 16th century.

For Lamb, however, the appeal is much simpler.

“I love saying Forum Porcorum — it’s fun to say.”

While he expects most people will shorten it to “The Forum”, the historical connection and distinctive identity ultimately won him over after spending months trying to settle on a name.

Fundraising Goals

The crowdfunding campaign has three fundraising targets.

An initial goal of £8,000 would allow Lamb to secure the lease, update the venue’s branding and signage, and give the entrance a fresh coat of what he describes as “beautiful porky pink” paint.

If donations reach £20,000, plans include replacing ageing furniture in the main bar, redecorating the interior and finally repairing the notoriously faulty hand dryer in the men’s toilets.

And if supporters really get behind the project? A £40,000 “super crazy stretch goal” would fund the reopening of the venue’s roof terrace, the replacement of the upstairs bar with a pool table area, and improvements to artist facilities backstage.

Starting From Scratch

Lamb is candid about the financial realities behind the project.

“To put it bluntly, I don’t have any money,” he told potential supporters of the project.

Without savings or outside financial backing, he’s relying on a combination of crowdfunding, small business loans and grant opportunities to make Forum Porcorum a reality.

Still, he’s betting that the goodwill built during his time at The Big Difference, coupled with Leicester’s appetite for independent cultural spaces, can help bring the venue back to life.

And if all goes to plan, one of Leicester’s most-loved alternative venues may soon be opening its doors once again — this time under a name that dates back hundreds of years, but with its sights firmly set on the future.

You can make a donation at the crowdfunding site: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/big-tonys-venue-fundraiser