Manchester Pride goes bust leaving performers thousands out of pocket

ManchesterPride, acharitywhichfor four decades has organised one of the UK’s top LGBTQ+ parades, has gone bust.

The charity has been put into voluntary liquidation and is being assessed by the charity regulator.

Pride’s organisers named rising costs, slumping ticket sales and an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride as factors behind the decision.

The news comes after said that many artists and performers wrote to organisers about not being paid.

What are your memories of Manchester Pride? Or are you a performer left unpaid? Drop us an email atjosh.milton@metro.co.uk

They said they received ‘automated replies’ after Manchester Pride failed to pay them within the 30 days following the August parade.

In astatementon theManchester Pridewebsite, its board of trustees said: ‘We regret the delays in communicating the current situation; however, we were keen not to jeopardise financial opportunities while our discussions were ongoing.

‘We were proactive and determined to identify solutions to the financial issues. We’ve been actively working with several partners, including legal and financial advisors, to do everything we could to find a positive solution.

‘We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners. Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible.’

In a letter to organisers, seen byThe MillNewsletter, artists and performers said the financial fallout means they cannot pay their bills.

It added: ‘This isn’t just an administrative failure – it’s a breach of trust and legality.’

Equity, a union for performers, said some artists and creatives had been left ‘out of pocket by thousands’.

The union’s North West representative, Karen Lockney, toldMetrothat the union met with impacted performers earlier this week.

‘We heard upsetting stories from people unsure if they can make payments for rent, medical prescriptions and other essentials,’ she said.

‘Treating working professionals like this is unacceptable.’

Among the affected creatives is Abbie Ashall, who is owed £2,000 after her pay day was missed in September for her freelance work.

‘I think not enough people were buying tickets… we’re seeing a massive trend in the events and festival industry that people just are not buying,’ she toldSky News.

Gurpreet Sanghera, a partner at the London-based media and entertainment law firm Simkins LLP, toldMetrothat Manchester Pride’s collapse reflects wider issues that the entertainment industry is facing.

‘This serves as a warning shot for other charitable organisations: in today’s climate, managing costs, cashflow and contractual obligations have never been more critical,’ Sanghera added.

Council leader Bev Craigconfirmed the Manchester Pride parade will still be held next August.

‘Its form may have changed, but its importance to our city has not- it’s something we take tremendously seriously,’ Craig added.

Company House records show several directors being terminated over the last few days. There are now up-to-date filings on the charity’s finances.

The lastupdatewas submitted in September 2024 for the year up to December 2023, showing a deficit of nearly £500,000.

Despite generating £2.7million in revenue, it lost £467,000 that year, almost as much as it lost in 2020 during the throes of theCovidpandemic.

This left organisers – who had put on shows with line-ups including Ariana Grande andOlly Alexander– with negative funds of £356,000.

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