Manchester Pride statement in full as event enters voluntary liquidation and team to be made redundant
It follows a week of intense speculation over the future of the Manchester LGBTQ+ event
Manchester Pride 2025(Image: Manchester Pride)
Manchester Pride has confirmed that it has begun the legal process of voluntary liquidation.
This afternoon, the event’s Board of Trustees issued a statement via Instagram saying that the news was being shared with ‘enormous sadness’, as it revealed some of the reasons behind the decision and what would happen next.
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 also follows an intense week of speculation after a number of performers at this year’s August Bank Holiday festival spoke out with regards to payment.
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Many performers spoke to the Manchester Evening News claiming they had not yet been paid for their appearance.
A number said they had agreed to 60-day terms, but some acts had agreed to 31-day terms with the cut-off dates since passing allegedly without payment. Today (22 October) marked the end of the 60-day payment terms.
The full statement issued on Instagram by Manchester Pride read: “It is with enormous sadness that we announce that Manchester Pride has started the legal process of voluntary liquidation.
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“A combination of rising costs, which are affecting the entire events and hospitality industries. declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues. along with an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride, has led to the organisation no longer being financially viable.
“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. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation.
“The volunteer Board of Trustees are devastated at this situation and sad to share that our staff team will be made redundant.
The Manchester Pride Parade 2025 saw tens of thousands turn out to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“We, along with the team, have put our hearts and souls into the celebration and community activities over two decades and are very distressed at the position in which we find ourselves.
“We would like to sincerely offer our thanks to all of our staff. volunteers and supporters who have contributed so much to Manchester Pride over the years.
“The organisation has achieved a great deal since its creation and, in particular, since the Covid pandemic.
“This includes: 237,000 visitors to the city, £104.8m of economic impact. 148 grants being made to grass roots community groups. Positive positioning of Manchester as an inclusive city.
“We hope and believe that this leaves a positive and lasting legacy for the Pride movement in Greater Manchester, and that it will continue long into the future. We will do everything we can to support this moving forward.
A statement on the future of Manchester Pride has been issued(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
“The Manchester Pride team have now handed over the details of suppliers and artists who are owed money to the liquidators who will be handling the affairs of the Charity and contacting everyone. Board of Trustees, Manchester Pride.”
Manchester Pride is one of the biggest LGBTQ+ events in the UK, outside of London and celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year with its foundations first set up back in 1985.
The four-day festival is attended by hundreds of thousands of people each year, and attracts big-scale performers, with Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne and Nelly Furtado headlining proceedings just this year alone.
Some of highlights include the Saturday parade which travels through the city centre, the Gay Village Party and the poignant candlelit vigil held on the last day of the event.
Manchester Pride became a registered charity organisation in 2007 and the event is managed by a trustees board, who also serve as directors for two subsidiaries – Manchester Pride Ltd and Manchester Pride Events Ltd. Mark Fletcher has served as CEO since 2013.
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