The future of one of the UK’s biggest LGBT events has been thrown into doubt as bosses say the major organisation has gone bust. Manchester Pride has announced it is entering voluntary liquidation – a formal process for shutting down organisations that have run out of cash – due to financial difficulties.
Despite desperate efforts to secure funding and reduce costs, including staff and overhead reductions, the organisation was unable to recover. It has now ceased trading and will be liquidated with a debt of £230,000.56. The festival’s Board of Trustees cited their unsuccessful bid to host EuroPride 2028 as a factor.
The trustees added that the decision came with “enormous sadness” after rising costs, declining ticket sales, and this year’s “ambitious” refresh, which included a new stage area outside the Gay Village, made the organisation “no longer financially viable.”
The statement read: “A combination of rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable.
“We regret the delays in communicating the current situation.
“We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners.
“We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.”
Just last week, the charitable organisation’s Board of Trustees issued a statement admitting that they were “currently in the process of determining the best way forward with our legal and financial advisers”.
It was only in August when BBC Newsbeat was told at least one of this year’s headliners hadn’t been paid for their August performance.
Dozens of businesses and performers say requests for payment worth thousands of pounds were met with silence, reports the BBC.
Saki Yew, who was on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2024, said: “A lot of performers are starting to give up hope of being paid.”
Current financial information about Manchester Pride isn’t due to be publicly available for a while, but official documents reported a loss of around £468,000 in 2023.
Following this afternoon’s news, Manchester Council has confirmed that Manchester Pride weekend will still take place next August.
The leader of Manchester City council Bev Craig said: “Manchester Pride March and Weekend has taken place in various forms for 40 years and remains a hugely important event for our city, and for our celebration of Manchester’s LGBTQ community.
“Its form may have changed but its importance to our city has not – it’s something we take tremendously seriously.
“We understood Manchester Pride Events Limited’s (MPEL) ongoing financial struggles and did everything we could to provide support and help keep the show on the road this year. However, MPEL’s position had become unsustainable and it’s disappointing to see that they have entered liquidation.”
The council will now begin preparations to try and ensure that Manchester Pride will continue in some shape or form next year.
The statement added: “There will undoubtedly be anxiety about what the future holds – but Pride is much more than the organisation that runs it. We want to support a new chapter for Manchester Pride weekend, which will take place next August.
“The Council will play a full and active role in bringing together the LGBTQ community to help shape how the city moves forward to ensure a bright and thriving future for Manchester Pride.”