Manchester Pride, one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ events, has entered voluntary liquidation, raising concerns about its future. The organization announced this decision amid reports that at least one performer for this year’s festival had not been compensated for their appearance. Many businesses and artists have also expressed frustration over unpaid invoices previously submitted to the organization.
The charity attributed its financial difficulties to a combination of rising costs, declining ticket sales, and an attempt to rejuvenate the event format. In a statement addressed to artists, contractors, and suppliers, Manchester Pride expressed regret over the situation, stating they initially hoped to find a way to sustain operations and support stakeholders. This year’s event was expected to take place during the August bank holiday weekend, a traditional timeframe for Pride celebrations.
Equity, the union representing entertainers, reported an increase in member inquiries regarding unpaid fees following Manchester Pride’s announcement of seeking legal and financial advice. The government’s Charity Commission is currently reviewing the organization’s finances after it filed a “serious incident report.”
Manchester City Council commented that it will support initiatives for a new version of the Pride weekend in August 2024 and acknowledged that financial issues were ongoing but expressed disappointment over the liquidation news.
Financial records indicated a loss of approximately £468,000 in 2023, despite Manchester Pride providing over £105,000 in funding to LGBTQ+ community groups that year and claiming to have contributed significantly to the local economy post-COVID. Ticket prices for the festival varied, and the lineup included notable artists, leading to speculation about how these factors might have impacted financial viability.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwvdvv70z7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss