Locals didn't want the event

London’s Brick Lane Comedy Festival has been cancelled in the face of protests from local residents.

Organisers of the event - who had already had to move out of their previous home in the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich – pulled the plug with less than a month to go.

Comedians including Al Murray, Alan Davies, Ed Byrne and Adam Buxton ad been lined up to play the five-day festival, starting on July 10.

They had said the new location would ‘breath fresh life into the festival’ – but it appears many East End residents did not welcome the prospect of the comedy marquee being erected in Allen Gardens, just off Brick Lane.

Organiser Cass Briggs said in a statement: : ‘It's with an extremely heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of Brick Lane Comedy Festival.

‘As you may know we were forced to leave our previous home in Greenwich with little time to find a new location. Due to this last minute relocation we had no choice but to go on sale while the licence application was taking place.

‘Despite the event having the full support of the borough [Tower Hamlets Council], we ran into heavy opposition from local community groups and residents that have proved impossible to overcome in the limited time before the festival starts.

‘We are incredibly sorry for any disappointment or inconvenience caused and we hope that ticket holders will appreciate the situation. We were hugely looking forward to what was set to be an amazing five nights of comedy.

‘We have not taken this decision lightly and after exhausting every possible alternative we've agreed that a cancellation is the only option.

‘We have worked incredibly hard and tirelessly for the last five years establishing our festival's as some of the finest comedy events around and we are very proud of what we've achieved. Sadly this year has been burdened by problems totally outside of our control which has led to this unfortunate result.

‘We'd like to thank all of the acts and agents and our partners and suppliers who've been extremely supportive, and apologise to all the comedy fans who were looking forward to the festival.

‘We are already working on plans for an event in the borough next year as well as the return of Greenwich Comedy Festival.

‘All ticket holders will receive a full refund. ‘

The festival had to move after the organisation which runs the Old Royal Naval College, the Greenwich Foundation, decided it wanted to concentrate on smaller events. The event also lost its £15,000 funding from Greenwich Council.

Published: 14 Jun 2013