Manchester Pride collapses into liquidation

Manchester Pride, one of the UK’s most prominent LGBTQ+ charities and organizers of the annual Manchester Pride Festival, has entered voluntary liquidation after years of financial strain, leaving dozens of artists, contractors, and staff unpaid. KR8 Advisory is reportedly overseeing the liquidation of the charity, which cited rising costs, falling ticket sales, and an unsuccessful bid to host EuroPride 2028 among the reasons for its collapse.

The Board of Trustees confirmed the decision on October 22, stating that despite extensive efforts to secure new funding and restructure operations, the organization was “no longer financially viable.” All employees have been made redundant, and details of unpaid suppliers, performers, and partners have been handed to the liquidators.

The 2025 festival, which drew more than 200,000 visitors to Manchester’s city center, masked deep financial distress behind the scenes. Freelancers and performers said they were left unpaid for work on the August event, while former staff and contractors pointed to “red flags” in planning and management. Internal concerns reportedly grew after the charity expanded its programming with the launch of “Mardi Gras,” a new ticketed event that failed to draw expected crowds.

Founded in 1985, Manchester Pride evolved from a grassroots fundraiser into one of the UK’s largest Pride celebrations, featuring high-profile performers such as Nelly Furtado, Olly Alexander, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock. The charity played a central role in Manchester’s LGBTQ+ advocacy, distributing more than £100 million in economic impact over two decades and awarding 148 community grants since the pandemic.

But the organization’s ambitious expansion came as sponsorship revenues softened and event costs surged across the live entertainment sector. Its reported £468,000 loss in 2023 foreshadowed deeper financial instability in 2024 and 2025, culminating in the collapse following the failed EuroPride bid—an event that many insiders say the board was counting on to stabilize funding.

The Charity Commission has confirmed it is reviewing concerns about Manchester Pride’s financial management after the board filed a serious incident report. While the liquidation brings an end to the charity’s 40-year run, Manchester City Council has said it will support efforts to create “a new chapter” for the Pride celebration in 2026, ensuring the city’s annual LGBTQ+ festival continues under a restructured model.