Equity to be in Canal Street this week for those who haven't been paid by Manchester Pride
– 2 min read
In response to today's news that Manchester Pride is entering voluntary liquidation, Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, has announced it will be in the heart of Manchester's gay village - Via on Canal Street - from 8-10pm on Thursday, 23 October with membership and claims forms for anyone who has not been paid by the annual LGBTQ+ event, one of the largest in the UK.
Manchester Pride enters voluntary liquidation
Manchester Pride, one of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQ+ festivals, has announced it is entering voluntary liquidation. The decision follows months of financial uncertainty, with reports surfacing that performers from the 2025 event remain unpaid and suppliers have been met with silence over outstanding invoices. In a statement issued
Graham Robson
The decision, announced on Manchester Pride's website, follows months of financial uncertainty, with reports surfacing that performers from the 2025 event remain unpaid and suppliers have been met with silence over outstanding invoices. In a statement issued today, the charity behind the festival expressed “enormous sadness” at the move, citing a combination of rising operational costs, declining ticket sales, and an unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride as key factors in its financial collapse.
Equity’s North West Official, Karen Lockney, said: “After too much uncertainty, the news that the organisation in charge of Manchester Pride is going into liquidation will be hugely concerning to those owed money.
“Yesterday afternoon, Equity held a meeting for affected performers and creatives – some of whom are out of pocket by thousands. 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.
“We are also speaking with Manchester City Council and other stakeholders to ensure artists' voices are heard in discussions about the future of Pride in the city, ensuring that Manchester gets the Pride it deserves: one that is rooted in the local community and the Gay Village, and which has workers' rights embedded from the outset."
