Manchester Pride bosses have announced that the organisation that runs the event has entered voluntary liquidation, leaving some performers and suppliers owed “thousands” in unpaid fees and raising questions over the future of one of the UK’s biggest Prides.

A statement from Manchester Pride’s Board of Trustees shared to Instagram on Wednesday (22 October) confirmed “with enormous sadness” that Manchester Pride Ltd had entered liquidation after it was deemed to no longer be financially viable.

Blaming rising costs, declining ticket sales and an unsuccessful bid to host EuroPride, the board confirmed that Manchester Pride’s staff team will be made redundant and that the details of those owed money would be handed to liquidators.

The news comes just days after artists including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season six star Zahirah Zapanta took to social media to claim that they had not been paid for their performances at the event in August. 2025’s ticketed festival in the city centre was headlined by stars including Nelly Furtado, Olly Alexander and Billy Porter and was attended by thousands.

Public accounts show that Manchester Pride Ltd posted a £467,000 loss in 2023. After acknowledging financial hardship last week after the reports of unpaid fees first surfaced, Manchester Pride confirmed today that they were “sincerely sorry” to those who remain unpaid.

“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”, its statement went on.

“Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.”

Karen Lockney, from performing arts and entertainment trade union Equity North West, said the latest news would be “hugely concerning” to those still owed money.

“Yesterday afternoon, Equity held a meeting for affected performers and creatives – some of whom are out of pocket by thousands”, Lockney said in a statement. “We heard upsetting stories from people unsure if they can make payments for rent, medical prescriptions and other essentials. Treating working professionals like this is unacceptable.
 
“Any performer or creative who worked at Manchester Pride but has not been paid should contact Equity as soon as possible. We are collecting contractual information to pursue all options to recoup money owed, and we will begin these processes immediately.”

Manchester Pride celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2025 and Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig insisted that Pride will return to Manchester in August 2026, Manchester Evening News reports.

“There will undoubtedly be anxiety about what the future holds – but Pride is much more than the organisation that runs it”, a statement read. “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.”

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