2025-06-29-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1135167

Company Registration No. 3121538 (England and Wales)

BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED TRUSTEES' REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

SOMERBYS LIMITED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 30 NELSON STREET LEICESTER LE1 7BA

BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees	EAnderson
	Mr S J Brown
	L Hailstone
	R Kerr
	J Kerry
	R Kotecha
	K Schurer
	J Sutton
	C Trail
Executive Officer	M Harris-Wakelam
Festival Director	C Laidet
Charity number	1135167
Company number	3121538
Principal address	LCB Depot
	31 Rutland Street
	Leicester
	LE1 1RE
Registered office	30 Nelson Street
	Leicester
	LE17BA
Trading address	LCB Depot
	31 Rutland Street
	Leicester
	LE1 1RE
Independentexaminer	MarcusW Dockerty FCAFCCA
	30 Nelson Street
	Leicester
	LE1 7BA
Bankers	Natwest Bank plc
	P O Box
	1 Granby Street
	Leicester
	LE1 9GT
Solicitors	Freeths
	One Colton Square
	Leicester
	LE11QH

BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

CONTENTS

	Page
Trustees' report	1-4
Independent examiner's report	5
Statement offinancial activities	6-7
Balance sheet	8
Notestothefinancialstatements	9-20

BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

TRUSTEES’ REPORT(INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 29 June 2025.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the financial reporting standard FRS102.

Administration Details

Big Difference Company Limited, is a registered Charity and a Company limited by guarantee. The liability of members is limited to £1.00 per member in the event of winding up. Its registered office is as shown on the Legal and Administrative Information page.

The Directors, who act as Trustees, are shown, together with the names of the principal external advisors, on the Legal and Administrative Information page.

Structure, governance and management

The governing document of the Charity is the Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated on 2 November 1995 and amended by a special resolution on 13th January 2009.

Organisation

A board of Trustees, who meet quarterly, administer the Charity. An Executive Officer is appointed by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity.

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:

K Schurer

E Anderson

J Kerry

L Hailstone

R Kerr

C Trail

J Southworth (Resigned 27 June 2025) J Sutton

S$ Brown

R Kotecha

Policies and procedures for induction and training of Trustees

Trustees are invited to shadow up to 3 meetings before being inducted. When they join the board all trustees receive mentoring and support from the Chair of Trustees for their initial 12 months. They are invited to meet with the Chief Executive Officer in advance of joining the board, and subsequent meetings for an update and briefing on current activity. Each Trustee is encouraged to take on specific responsibility within the Charity which could include sitting on a sub-group of the Board or working on fundraising, advocacy and strategic planning. All Trustees are trained in accordance with the guidance as specified in the governing documents and by the use of training materials made available by the Charity Commission.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT(INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

Related parties

All related parties and transactions can be found in the notes to the Financial Statements.

Risk factors

The Trustees make use of risk assessment resources provided by the Charity Commission and have a risk management strategy which comprises:

1) an annual review of the risks associated with major projects and operational activity;

2) a risk assessment for major projects which are monitored at each quarterly board meeting;

3) the implementation of procedures designed to minimise impact on the charity should risks materialise; 4) responsibility for each action is clearly allocated to the Executive Officer or a Trustee.

Financial sustainability is the major risk for the Charity and attention continues to be paid to the long-term future and in particular the continued effects of external economic climate with rising costs having to be met.

We continue to implement the strategic development of the charity and the Executive Leadership Team has developed and begun implementing a new business plan and staffing re-structure for 2025 - 2028. The focus of this year has been continued consolidation and delivering successfully Leicester Comedy Festival and The UK Kids' Comedy Festival with a small amount of growth targeted. It is noted that a positive trend is emerging of the number of shows registered reaching or exceeding the same level as previous high impact years and ticket sales are also returning to a predictable pattern now that trading and confidence have returned to a normal level of expectation

In particular this year the charity has been affected by the short notice withdrawal of a significant funder. We have, however, been able to partially mitigate the effect of this by implementing the changes set out in the charity's business plan. The charity has also continued to explore additional funding streams and look at operational changes, including additional partners and sponsors alongside project specific funding. This has affected both income and expenditure but resulted in a net benefit which will continue on an ongoing basis

However, the ongoing uncertainty in the live events sector in general continues to have had a considerable impact on the charity's ability to raise income from its programmed activities around ticket sales, festival fees and live event fundraisers. The charity are very grateful to our main funders, sponsors and members of our Business Partners Club for their continuing support which has sustained the charity and enabled delivery of the majority of our annual activities. It is noted that for the third year, we have had to delay one of our key fundraising projects due to ongoing maintenance work in the local area. We continue to engage with our delivery partners for this project with a view to delivering the public event as soon as the space is available. This is having an adverse effect on our short term income as the funding partner has to defer administering the secured grant while we await updates on availability and no suitable alternative site is available.

Our trading subsidiary Big Difference Productions Limited has continued to operate the live arts and entertainment venue, The Big Difference, in line with the charity's long term investment plans and positive contributions are expected in the long term from operating this space now that it is beginning to establish a regular set of events and see increasing demand for use. It also provides us with a base from which to carry out our charitable activities and a programme of year round opportunities to engage with local and emerging artists across multiple art forms.

It is clear that the continued pressures on disposable income for audiences and a move, within potential annual funding partners, to shorter term commitments is placing an increased pressure on delivering long term plans for the Charity. Discussions with longer term partners are positive and include continuation of annual support from the local authority and University for the coming year.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT(INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

Objectives and activities

The Charity's objects remain the same and are:

1) to promote, maintain, improve and advance education by the encouragement of the arts;

2) to promote good health and wellbeing through the arts;

3) the advancement of the arts and culture for charitable purposes including through comedy and comedy performance.

Project Activity and Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

They have referred to the guidance in the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set. The Trustees ensure that these activities are carried out for the public benefit by delivering services that are valued by the people we support and enable those with responsibility in the sector to develop and adopt best practice, thereby promoting a transparent and efficiently managed charity that engenders public confidence and trust.

Big Difference Company undertakes a varied programme of work across the year, to support the delivery of the overall charitable objects. These projects particularly help us meet the object “the advancement of the arts and culture for charitable purposes including through comedy and comedy performance”.

Achievements and performance

Fundraising activities

The Charity retained two main partners (Leicester City Council and De Montfort University) for the festivals in 2025, allowing us to successfully deliver the festivals as planned. We are extremely grateful for their continued, long-term support. We also secured additional project sponsorship from National Lottery Community Foundation, covering 2 years of delivery for The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival.

Additional support in sponsorship for festivals came from Arriva and Everything Branded. Alongside this, we continue to see significant support for our Business Partners Club and this allows us unrestricted income to deliver our activities.

The BIG Weekend was hosted in Harborough District, in partnership with their district council and supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. We also expanded our Completely Made Up History project to Coalville with support from North West Leicestershire District Council, continuing to broaden our reach throughout Leicestershire.

Agrant was received from the Leicestershire Archaeological History Society to enable work with a volunteer group to catalogue and label our digital archive of photography.

Further grant support was received from Bentley Community Grants for The Joke Spot, Arnold Clark Community Fund for workshops in The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival, and Let's Get Moving to promote The Completely Made Up History of Coalville wafking tour

We delivered significant fundraising activity through The Alternative Business Awards and the Stand Up Challenge as part of our annual programme of activities. Individual giving through fundraising activity also increased, with one participant in the Leicester 10k, donations alongside ticket sales at our Box Office and general giving.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

TRUSTEES' REPORT(INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

Our managed venue, The Big Difference completed another year of trading and is contributing to our ongoing financial strategy

Financial review

Review of activities

During the year the Charity had total incoming resources of £499,562 (2024: £476,241) and there was a net increase in funds of £4,210 (2024: decrease of £23,367). The total restricted funds at the end of the period amounted to £1,097 (2024: £398), and unrestricted funds were in deficit by £70,846 (2024: £74,357 deficit ). The notes to the accounts show unrestricted fixed assets of £2,592 and unrestricted investments of £1; free reserves, as defined by SORP 2005, were therefore in deficit by £73,439 at 29 June 2025.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Reserves policy

The charity has set itself a policy of maintaining unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately three months expenditure. This policy is designed to provide the charity with sufficient funds to sustain its operations in the event of any changes to its funding streams and is aligned to Charity Commission recommended good practice. The reserves policy has not been met.

Principal funding sources

Big Difference Company receives a regular, annual grant from Leicester City Council. The grant is awarded to support the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Plans for future periods

The trustees have successfully positioned the organisation as being an effective cultural charity which delivers a range of services and activities to help meet the objects. Despite the effects of the overall economic climate, which has impacted on the charity itself, the organisation remains dynamic and energetic and there is a continuing sense of optimism both internally and with external partners and stakeholders. In the long term, our venue The Big Difference, supports the sustainability of the organisation as well as provide opportunities to develop the Charity’s activities.

Trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Big Difference Company Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

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J Kerry Chairman Dated: 27 March 2026

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

| report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Big Difference Company Limited (the charity) for the year ended 29 June 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, | report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination | have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. | confirm that | am qualified to undertake the examination because | am a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

| have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

• 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.

• 2 __ the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 3 the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

• 4 the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

• “~haveno concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should*be-drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

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Marcus W Dockerty FCA FCCA
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Chartered Accountant 30 Nelson Street Leicester LE17BA

Dated: 27 March 2026

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

Current financial year

Current financial year
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Total
		funds	funds
		2025	2025	2025	2024
	Notes	£	£	£	£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies		11,044	-	11,044	12,553
Charitable activities	3	380,991	52,170	433,161	405,750
Othertrading activities	4	34,133	17,050	51,183	56,570
Investments	5	20	-	20	362
Other income	6	4,154	-	4,154	1,006
Total income		430,342	69,220	499,562	476,241
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities	7	426,831	68,524	495,352	499,608
Net income/(expenditure) forthe year/
Net movement in funds		3,511	699	4,210	(23,367)
Fund balances at 30 June2024		(74,357)	398	(73,959)	(50,592)
Fundbalancesat29June2025		(70,846)	1,097	(69,749)	(73,959)

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

Prior financial year

Prior financial year
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
		funds	funds
		2024	2024	2024
	Notes	£	£	£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies		12,553	-	12,553
Charitable activities	3	325,160	80,590	405,750
Othertrading activities	4	46,645	9,925	56,570
Investments	5	362	-	362
Other income	6	1,006	-	1,006
Total income		385,726	90,515	476,241
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities	7	409,491	90,117	499,608
Net income/(expenditure) forthe year/
Netmovement in funds		(23,765)	398	(23,367)
Fund balances at 1 July2023		(50,592)	-	(50,592)
Fundbalancesat29June2024		(74,357)	398	(73,959)

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 29 JUNE 2025

		2025		2024
	Notes	£	£	£	£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	12		2,592		1,555
Investments	13		1		1
			2,593		1,556
Current assets
Stocks	15	2,748		-
Debtors	17	95,912		62,591
Cash at bank and in hand		196		1,843
		98,856		64,434
Creditors: amounts falling duewithin	18
oneyear		(171,198)		(130,294)
Net current liabilities			(72,342)		(65,860)
Total assets less current liabilities			(69,749)		(64,304)
Creditors: amounts falling due after
more than one year	19		-		(9,655)
Net liabilities			(69,749)		(73,959)
The funds ofthe charity
Restricted income funds	22		1,097		398
Unrestricted funds	21		(70,846)		(74,357)
			(69,749)		(73,959)

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 20086, for the year ended 29 June 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 27 March 2026

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J Kerry Chairman

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

• 1 Accounting policies

• 1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's goveming document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The accounts have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

• 1.2 Going concern

These financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. In conducting their review, the trustees have considered a period of 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts. Having made their assessment of the financial and operational position, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate sources of funding in place to continue as a going concern.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donors or which have been raised by the Charity for specific purposes. The costs of administering such funds are charged against the specific fund.

• 1.4 Incoming resources

Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable, except in so far as they are incapable of financial measurement. Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which it has been received.

• 1.5 Resources expended

All expenditure, including grants payable, is included on an accrual basis.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets, less their residual values, over their useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures & fittings 20% per annum of net book value Computer equipment 33% per annum on cost

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities. A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

• 1.8 Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

1.10 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.11 Taxation

The company is a registered charity and thus is exempt from taxation on its income and capital gains.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical judgements

There are no critical judgements (apart from those involving estimates) in applying the charity's accounting policies.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The estimates and assumptions which havea significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are:

Useful economic lives of tangible assets

The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets.

• 3 Charitable activities

	Grants	Ticket sales and	Project income	Total	Total
		participation fees		2025	2024
	£	£	£	£	£
Sales within charitable activities	-	312,131	50,069	362,200	315,647
Grants	58,860	-	-	58,860	80,590
Membership income	-	12,101	-	12,101	9,513
	58,860	324,232	50,069	433,161	405,750
Analysis byfund
Unrestricted funds	6,690	324,232	50,069	380,991	325,160
Restricted funds	52,170	-	-	52,170	80,590
	58,860	324,232	50,069	433,161	405,750
Forthe yearended 29June 2024
Unrestricted funds	-	309,067	16,093		325,160
Restricted funds	80,590	-	-		80,590
	80,590	309,067	16,093		405,750

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

4 Other trading activities

		2025	2025	2025	2024	2024	2024
		£	£	£	£	£	£
		Unrestricted	Restricted	Total	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	Advertising and
	sponsorship income	34,133	17,050	51,183	46,645	9,925	56,570
5	Income from investments
						Unrestricted	Unrestricted
						funds	funds
						2025	2024
						£	£
	Interest received					20	362
6	Other income
						Unrestricted	Unrestricted
						funds	funds
						2025	2024
						£	£
	Otherincome					4,154	1,006

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

7 Charitable activities

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|||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Unrestricted| |Staff|costs|162,502|149,282| |Depreciation|&|profit/loss|on|disposals|292|1,763| |Rent|and|rates|8,564|3,416| |insurance|6,404|4,104| |Light and|heat|559|636| |Telephone|and|fax|1,290|810| |Travel|and|subsistence|9,380|9,137| |Bank|charges|932|728| |Sundry expenses|2,644|4,608| |Computer expenses|2,267|3,453| |Bad|and|doubtful|debts|-|978| |Printing,|postage|and|stationery|90|265| |Project,|promotion|and|production|costs|189,081|202,450| |Governance|costs|5,580|4,850| |Legal|and|professional|4,481|2,195| |Artist|fees|32,375|19,384| |Donations|-|793| |Loan|interest|paid|390|639| |426,831|409,491| |Restricted| |Staff costs|24,429|40,106| |Project,|promotion|and|production|costs|40,641|46,842| |Artist|fees|3,451|3,169| |68,521|90,117| |Analysis|by fund| |Unrestricted|funds|426,831|409,491| |Restricted|funds|68,521|90,117| |495,352|499,608| |8|Net|movement|in|funds|2025|2024| |£|£| |The|net|movement|in|funds|is|stated|after|charging/(crediting):| |Fees|payable|to|the|charity's|independent|examiner:| |- for the|independent|examination|of the|charity's|financial|statements|3,290|3,200| |- for|other financial|services|2,290|1,650| |Depreciation|of owned|tangible|fixed|assets|293|1,763|

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

9 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the period, and no one was reimbursed any expenses.

10 Employees

Number of employees

The average number of employees during the year was:

Number of employeesemployees The average number of employeesemployees during the yearyear was:
	2025	2024
	Number	Number
Employees	6	6
Employment costs	2025	2024
	£	£
Wages and salaries - unrestricted	157,826	144,638
Wages and salaries - restricted	24,429	40,106
Other pension costs	4,676	4,644
	186,931	189,388

Total remuneration and benefits paid to key management personnel during the year totalled £49,271 (2024 - £46,212).

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.

11. Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

12	Tangible fixed assets
			Fixtures& fittings	Computer equipment	Total
			£	£	£
	Cost
	At 30 June 2024		9,065	22,175	31,240
	Additions		-	1,330	1,330
	At 29 June 2025		9,065	23,505	32,570
	Depreciation and impairment
	At 30 June 2024		8,384	21,301	29,685
	Depreciation charged in the year		108	185	293
	At 29 June 2025		8,492	21,486	29,978
	Carrying amount
	At29 June 2025		573	2,019	2,592
	At 29 June 2024		681	874	1,555
13	Fixed asset investments
				2025	2024
		Notes		£	£
	Investmentsinsubsidiaries	14		1	1

The company holds 100% of the issued share capital of Big Difference Productions Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales. The principal activity of Big Difference Productions Limited is artistic creation.

14 Subsidiaries

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Name of undertaking Registered Nature of business Class of % Held
office shares held Direct Indirect
Big Difference Productions UK Artistic creation Ordinary 100.00
Limited
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The aggregate capital and reserves and the result for the year of subsidiaries excluded from consolidation was as follows:

Name of undertaking	Profit/(Loss)	Capital and
		Reserves
	£	£
Big Difference Productions
Limited	(47,484)	(56,695)

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

15	Stocks
			2025	2024
			£	£
	Finished goods and goods for resale		2,748	-
16	Loans and overdrafts
			2025	2024
			£	£
	Bank loans		9,623	19,882
	Payable within one year		9,623	10,227
	Payable afterone year		-	9,655
17	Debtors
			2025	2024
			£	£
	Trade debtors		34,492	36,159
	Amounts due from group undertakings		52,501	20,659
	Other debtors		130	5,773
	Prepayments and accrued income		8,789	-
			95,912	62,591
18	Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
			2025	2024
		Notes	£	£
	Bank loans	16	9,623	10,227
	Othertaxation and social security		14,325	2,585
	Trade creditors		51,463	51,954
	Other creditors		12,123	8,182
	Accruals		83,664	57,346
			171,198	130,294
19	Creditors: amounts falling due aftermore than one year
			2025	2024
			£	£
	Bankloans	16	-	9,655

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

20 Deferred income

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||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |Grant|Other|2025|2024| |income|deferred| |income|Total|Total| |Opening|balance|18,000|19,090|37,090|27 462| |Invoiced|in|the|year|24,000|16,000|40,000|37,090| |Released|to|incoming|resources|(18,000)|(19,090)|(37,090)|(27,462)| |Closing|balance|24,000|16,000|40,000|37,090|

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Closing balance

21 ~+Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

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||||||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |At|30|June|Incoming|Resources|At|29|June| |2024|resources|expended|2025| |£|£|£|£| |General|funds|(74,357)|430,342|(426,831)|(70,846)| |Previous|period:|At|30|June|Incoming|Resources|At|29|June| |2023|resources|expended|2024| |£|£|£|£| |General|funds|(50,592)|385,726|(409,491)|(74,357)|

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General funds

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

22 ~=Restricted funds

The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

	Movement in funds	Movement in funds		Movement in funds	Movement in funds
	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Balance at 30June2024	Incoming Resources	Resources Expended	Balance at 29June 2025
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Leicester City Council -
Leicester Comedy Festival
Grant	24,000	(24,000)	-	30,850	(30,850)	-
Integrated Care Board -
Kids Festival	50,000	(49,602)	398	-	-	398
BID LeicesterSponsorship	9,925	(9,925)	-	-	-	-
Martins Trust Income	1,400	(1,400)	-	-	-	-
Leicestershire Police	2,190	(2,190)	-	2,190	(2,190)	-
Leicestershire CMF	3,000	(3,000)	-	-	-	-
Leicester Stand Up
Challenge	-	-	-	4,400	(1,361)	39
LaughAcademy	-	-	-	500	(500)	-
Leicester Comedy Festival
(City Branding & Festival
Hub)	-	-	-	6,300	(6,300)	-
LeicesterComedy Festival
(Circuit Breakers)	-	-	-	2,000	(1,340)	660
National Lottery
Community Fund -
LeicesterComedy Festival	-	-	-	19,980	(19,980)	-
Harborough District Council
- Harborough Big Weekend	-	-	-	6,000	(6,000)	-
	90,515	(90,117)	398	69,220	(68,521)	1,097

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

22 ~=¥Restricted funds

(Continued)

The above restricted funds were received to deliver the following projects:

Leicester Comedy Festival — grant for funding to support the production of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Integrated Care Board - grant to develop the interest of comedy in young people by support emerging talents and fostering wellbeing. To support venues and performers to be accessible and inclusive for all ages and to engage with community groups, businesses and organisations to encourage them to use the Leicester Comedy Festival to promote themselves.

Leicestershire Police - grant to deliver safer spaces training delivery for venue partners through industry partners in accessibility covering Innocent Bystanders Awareness and "Good Night Out" campaigns.

Leicester CMF - grant to provide mental health first aid training for venue partners through an industry provider.

BID Leicester Sponsorship - grant to support street branding for the Leicester Comedy Festival with the aim of raising the profile of Leicester and the city centre.

Leicester Stand Up Challenge - sponsor to support the stand up challenge fundraising project.

Laugh Academy - sponsor to support the laugh academy fundraising project.

Leicester Comedy Festival (City Branding & Festival Hub) - grant to support street branding for the Leicester Comedy Festival with the aim of raising the profile of Leicester and the city centre.

Leicester Comedy Festival (Circuit Breakers) - sponsor to support the circuit breakers fundraising project.

National Lottery Community Fund - Leicester Comedy Festival - grant for funding to support the production of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Harborough District Council - Harborough Big Weekend - grant for funding to support the production of the Harborough Big Weekend.

23 ~ Analysis of net assets between funds

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	funds	funds
	2025	2025	2025
	£	£	£
At 29 June 2025:
Tangible assets	2,592	-	2,092
Investments	1	-	4
Current assets/(liabilities)	(73,439)	1,097	(72,342)
	(70,846)	1,097	(69,749)

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BIG DIFFERENCE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 JUNE 2025

23 ~=~Analysis of net assets between funds

(Continued)

	Unrestricted	Restricted	Total
	funds	funds
	2024	2024	2024
	£	£	£
At 29 June 2024:
Tangible assets	1,555	-	1,555
Investments	1	-	1
Current assets/(liabilities)	(66,258)	398	(65,860)
Long term liabilities	(9,655)	-	(9,655)
	(74,357)	398	(73,959)

24 Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

	2025	2024
	£	£
Within oneyear	8,564	8,564
Between two and five years	-	8,564
	8,564	17,128

25 Related party transactions

During the period advertising income of £900 was received from Freeths LLP (2024 - £893). E Anderson, a trustee of Big Difference Company Ltd, is a director of Freeths LLP.

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