A brand-new comedy festival has been announced for Leicester after dozens of comedians, promoters and venues were left unpaid by the charity behind the long-running Leicester Comedy Festival.

The Independent Comedy Festival will launch in February 2027, promising hundreds of shows across dozens of venues in Leicester and Leicestershire.

Behind the new venture are local promoter Colin Bowles and Leicester comedian Alex Hylton, who say they want to create a festival that puts performers first after the collapse in confidence surrounding The Big Difference Company.

The charity, which organised Leicester Comedy Festival, has faced criticism after many performers, promoters and venues were not paid for appearances and events that took place during the 2026 festival. Some are still waiting for money owed.

Now organisers of the new festival say they are stepping in to ensure Leicester keeps its place on the comedy map.

Venues already involved include The Y Theatre, Firebug, Real Ale Classroom and Oadby Royal British Legion, with more expected to be announced.

Alex Hylton, a professional comedian who lives in Leicester and regularly hosts shows across the city, said: “I can’t wait. We’re going to put on something really special.

“Leicester deserves a brilliant comedy festival, artists deserve to be treated fairly, and audiences should know their ticket money is supporting the show they’ve paid to see.”

He added: “For too long comedians have been at the bottom of the pecking order. It’s time to start again.

“Hopefully comedians can trust that, with one of their own at the helm, The Independent Comedy Festival will treat artists with the respect they deserve.

“With the support of top comedy promoters and some of the city’s favourite venues, we’ve come together to create a new, fairer festival for 2027.

“It’s time comedy in Leicester is run responsibly by people from the industry who love it and understand what it needs.”

Hylton was keen to stress the new event is separate from the existing festival brand.

“Let me be clear,” he said. “This is definitely not the Leicester Comedy Festival. This will be The Independent Comedy Festival.”

Colin Bowles, of Leicester promoter TripleCeePee, said the annual February comedy season had become a huge part of his life over the last decade.

“Putting on a bunch of comedy every February has become a huge part of my life, so I had to take the chance to work with Alex and help continue the legacy of having a major comedy festival in the city,” he said.

The festival has also received backing from comedian Mark Watson, known for appearances on television and BBC Radio 4.

He said: “Leicester as a city has supported a unique, hugely valuable festival for many years now, and losing it would leave a huge gap in the comedy calendar.

“I’m very happy to hear that gap is going to be filled by people who know what they’re doing and truly care about comedy.

“I’m excited to see what comes next and look forward to being part of it for years to come, unless I stop being funny.”

Organisers say they are now seeking support from businesses, venues, local authorities and other partners to help establish the festival.

Further announcements will be made via the festival’s Instagram account, @indiecomedyfest, and its website, The Independent Comedy Festival.