What happened
- The organising charity for Manchester Pride, Manchester Pride Limited, has entered voluntary liquidation. (civilsociety.co.uk)
- According to reports, freelancers, performers, producers and suppliers from the August 2025 event are owed substantial sums. One funding appeal places the debt at £1.3 million owed to creatives and suppliers. (manchestercommunitycentral.org)
- The charity cited rising costs, declining ticket sales, and an unsuccessful bid to host EuroPride as key factors in its financial failure. (Sky News)
- Organisations representing performers (notably Equity, the union) are collecting details of those unpaid and preparing to pursue contractual claims. (Equity)
Case details & impact
- Performers report being unpaid for weeks/months following the festival. For example, one performer claims “repeated emails and requests regarding outstanding payments have been ignored.” (The Guardian)
- Payment terms reportedly were 60 days for many contracts — performers say this is long especially when cashflow is tight for freelancers. (GB News)
- One particular crowdfunding initiative, the “Together for Creatives Fund,” was launched to aid freelance creatives left unpaid, noting that independent freelancers may struggle to survive without this income. (About Manchester)
- The Charity Commission has opened a compliance case into the finances of the charity. (Sky News)
- The local authority, Manchester City Council, said it will support a future pride event in 2026 but also stated the previous format was “no longer financially viable”. (ITVX)
Commentary & perspectives
- Equity’s North West official said:
“Treating working professionals like this is unacceptable… Some have missed rent and cannot afford essentials.” (Equity)
- The union has asked Manchester City Council to explain when it knew of the financial problems and whether it should step in to support unpaid performers. (Equity)
- Some commentators are using this as an example of how large‑scale community/heritage events can become financially risky when costs escalate and reliance on ticket income/sponsorship becomes fragile. (Reddit)
- Performers argue that the non‑payment undermines trust in the event’s organisers and threatens the viability of independent artists who rely on such festivals for income.
Why this matters
- For freelancers & creatives: Being unpaid by a major event has direct financial consequences — for rent, bills, business survival.
- For the broader arts/event sector: It signals the risk of event organisers failing and the need for stronger protections for contractors and creatives (e.g., stronger contracts, escrowed payments).
- For the LGBTQ+ community: This is a significant reputational issue for a major Pride event — the community expects safe, inclusive celebration but also fair treatment of its creatives.
- For regulators and funders: The intervention by the Charity Commission shows that even large, well‑known charities can go into liquidation — underscoring the need for oversight, transparency, and contingency planning in event management.
What to watch going forward
- Recovery of funds: How many of the debts (the reported £1.3 m) will actually be paid through liquidation, and how long will it take?
- Future of the event: What format will Pride in Manchester take in 2026? Will there be a new organising body, new funding model, better protections for freelancers?
- Contractor protections: Will there be changes to how creatives are contracted (payment terms, deposits, escrow, union involvement)?
- Council/organiser accountability: Will Manchester City Council or other stakeholders review the oversight, financial models, and support for such major events?
- Sector‑wide implications: Will this prompt other festivals to review their financial/resilience models and the way they treat freelancers and contractors?
- Here are detailed case‑studies and commentary on the collapse of Manchester Pride 2025, the impact on creatives, and the broader lessons for events and freelancers.
Case Study 1: Unpaid Creatives & Financial Collapse
- The organisation behind Manchester Pride entered voluntary liquidation in October 2025. (Sky News)
- It is reported that the event owes £1.3 million to performers, suppliers and freelancers. (NME)
- A breakdown of debts: The document shows 182 companies/individuals owed between £30 and £330,329. For example, a production company linked to headliner Olly Alexander is owed £48,000; a venue company owes £330,329. (NME)
- One freelance event‑manager, who had previously worked for the organisation, said she is owed £2,000 after her pay‑date passed in September and she fears many others are in worse positions. (Sky News)
- The organisers cited several contributing factors: rising costs, declining ticket sales, and a failed bid to host EuroPride 2028. (GB News)
- The trade union Equity is collecting data from performers and creatives who have not been paid, urging them to register their claims. (Equity)
Case Study 2: Impact on Freelancers & Local Community
- Many independent creatives—drag performers, burlesque artists, producers—who worked at Pride 2025 report they have not received payment despite invoices being submitted. (Equity)
- Some owed amounts range from £150 to £5,000 each, affecting local creatives who often rely on gig income for rent and bills. (Equity)
- In response, a crowdfunder — the “Together for Creatives Fund” — was launched by affected creatives to raise support for those left unpaid, acknowledging that the liquidation process may take years and many may receive little. (About Manchester)
- Local community stakeholders voiced concern that the unpaid creatives are the backbone of the event — yet they now feel devalued and financially vulnerable.
Commentary & Perspectives
- From Equity’s North West official Karen Lockney:
“Treating working professionals like this is unacceptable … We heard upsetting stories from people unsure if they can make payments for rent, medical prescriptions and other essentials.” (Equity)
- On the role of the local authority:
Equity has asked the Manchester City Council to clarify what it knew about the organising company’s financial problems and when it knew it — especially since creatives were still being contracted despite warnings. (Equity) - From the event‑industry analysis:
“This is a stark reminder of how large‑scale events that rely on ticket sales, sponsorship and high costs are vulnerable — and when they collapse the gig economy workers suffer first.”
- From the board of the organisation itself:
The trustees said they were “devastated” and acknowledged that “staff, volunteers, our artists, contractors and partners … will now lose out financially.” (ITVX)
Key Takeaways & Lessons
- Freelancers & creatives are high‑risk stakeholders in event ecosystems: when the promoter goes under, they often have the weakest claim and the longest wait for payment.
- Contract terms matter: Many performers reported payment‑terms of 60 days (longer than industry norm) and lack of communication when payment was delayed. (GB News)
- Financial transparency and governance: Events with high costs, ambitious growth plans and failing revenue streams need strong oversight, especially when reliant on freelance labour.
- Community credibility and trust: The unpaid creatives and local community feel let down — recovery of event reputation will depend on how future organisers handle payment and governance.
- Local authority role: When public funds, local licence support or community reliance are involved, local government may face pressure to intervene or ensure protections for freelancers.
- Alternative support mechanisms: As shown by the crowdfunder, immediate financial support may be needed alongside legal/insolvency processes — but this is a stop‑gap, not a solution.